It has been four years since the liberation of the city of Zangilan from Armenian occupation.

Axar.az reports that on October 20, 2020, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced in an address to the nation that the city of Zangilan and six villages—Havali, Zarnali, Mammadbeyli, Hakari, Sharifan, and Mughanli—had been liberated from occupation.

In addition to Zangilan and its villages, several villages in other regions were also freed on the same day. These included Dordchinar, Kurdlar, Yukhari Abdurrahmanli, Gargabazar, Ashagi Veysalli, and Yukhari Aybasanli in the Fuzuli district; Safarsha, Hasanqaydi, Fughanli, Imam Baghi, Dash Veysalli, Aghtepe, and Yarahmedli in the Jabrayil district; and Aghjakend, Mulkudara, Dashbashi, Gunashli (formerly Norashen), and Chinarli in the Khojavand district. The victorious Azerbaijani forces hoisted the national tricolor flag over the liberated territories.

The battles in Zangilan were among the most successful operations along the Araz River during the Second Karabakh War, resulting in a decisive victory for the Azerbaijani Army.

It should be noted that Zangilan district is located along the border with Iran. With an area of 707 square kilometers, it had a population of 45,000 (39,000 in 1993). The district lies on the southern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, in the Araz River region, known for its unique natural beauty, cliffs, tulip-filled plains, and picturesque forests and shrubs.

The Zangilan district was occupied by the Armed Forces of Armenia on October 30, 1993. At the time of occupation, the district consisted of one city, five settlements, and 79 villages. In addition to agriculture, animal husbandry was also well developed in Zangilan. However, 27 years of occupation resulted in the district's wealth being plundered, its infrastructure destroyed, and residential areas vandalized. Homes and historical monuments were completely demolished, and trees were cut down.

According to a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023, "Zangilan City Day" is celebrated annually on October 20 with grand ceremonies.