Today marks the sixth anniversary of Shusha’s liberation from occupation.

Axar.az recalls that the city was liberated on November 8, 2020, by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

Following the liberation of the city from Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan’s three-coloured national flag was raised in its centre. On the same day, President Ilham Aliyev announced Shusha’s liberation in an address to the nation from the Alley of Martyrs.

The Battle of Shusha was one of the most successful military operations of the Second Karabakh War, ultimately contributing to the Azerbaijani Army’s victory. During the fighting, Azerbaijani forces advanced towards the city through dense forests, impassable ravines and difficult mountain terrain.

On November 7, Azerbaijani troops scaled the rocky terrain surrounding the city and entered Shusha carrying light weapons and ammunition. Special Forces units were divided into groups of around 100 soldiers to approach the city from multiple directions.

During the fighting, Armenia fired Iskander ballistic missiles at Shusha, targeting Azerbaijani servicemen. Nevertheless, the Azerbaijani Army soon defeated Armenian forces and drove them out of the city.

In May 2021, President Ilham Aliyev declared Shusha Azerbaijan’s cultural capital by presidential decree.

Under a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023, November 8 is officially celebrated each year as Shusha City Day.

Shusha was occupied by Armenian armed forces on May 8, 1992. Following the occupation, its population of approximately 22,000 was forced to leave the city and resettle in various parts of Azerbaijan. During the occupation, 195 people were killed and 165 wounded. In addition, 55 people were taken prisoner or held hostage.