President Aliyev: We will never allow creation of second Armenian state on our lands

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

In April, Armenia committed yet another armed provocation against Azerbaijan and its people, and Azerbaijan’s army of heroes – soldiers and officers – gave an adequate response to that provocation.

Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev made this remark on November 12 as he was addressing the soldiers who have distinguished themselves in battles.

“By conducting a successful counterattack operation, the Azerbaijani army inflicted a crushing blow to the enemy and liberated a part of the Azerbaijani lands from the occupation,” said President Aliyev.

Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions of Azerbaijan are under the control of the Armenian military and separatists since a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan ended in 1994. Negotiations lasting for over 20 years have brought little progress in resolving the conflict, though a fragile truce has been in place.

One of the most tragic conflicts in the history of the 20th century and affected the destiny of millions again aggravated on April 2 after the Armenian military units in the occupied lands started shelling Azerbaijan’s positions.

To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched counter attacks and as a result, the Azerbaijani troops retook hills around the village of Talish, as well as Seysulan settlement, and also took over Leletepe hill located in the direction of Fizuli region.

“Today we are in the territory of Leletepe. A few months ago this area was under occupation. We ended the occupation,” said the president. “A successful counterattack operation resulted in liberation of more than 2,000 hectares of land that were under occupation in the Fuzuli, Jabrayil and Aghdere regions. Today, the Azerbaijani army fully controls thousands of hectares of land.”

The president also noted that the counteroffensive operation started from disadvantageous positions.

“We liberated the heights, the hills from the occupiers and showed great heroism. The April battles should go into military textbooks,” he said. “The Azerbaijani army demonstrated its professionalism, heroism and skills in those battles.”

“We had martyrs, may Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs. We had wounded soldiers, officers. During a meeting with wounded soldiers and officers at the military hospital, I saw their enthusiasm. They had an only desire – to quickly recover and return to the battle zones,” added the president. “This once again shows that the people of Azerbaijan is a great people, Azerbaijani citizens are patriots. Our soldiers and officers are ready to die for the motherland. The April battles are our valiant victory.”

“We are on our lands, it is Azerbaijan. Leletepe, Shusha, Khankendi are also Azerbaijan. We are on our land,” said President Aliyev, adding that Azerbaijan has no claims for others’ lands.

“We will never allow the creation of a second Armenian state on our lands. The April battles once again showed it,” he stressed.

The president went on to add that a successful operation was conducted in the Fuzuli region in January 1994, and 22 villages were liberated from the occupiers.

“It was a great, historic victory,” noted the president, saying that the April battles are another historic victory.

He noted that the operation in Leletepe is a symbol of Azerbaijani army’s heroism.

“Leletepe went down in history. If the Armenian armed forces did not draw a right conclusion from the April battles, there will be many successful operations as the Leletepe operation in the future,” said President Aliyev.

“The leadership of Armenia must finally realize that their aggressive actions are leading them to the abyss,” noted the president.

The head of state also said the Azerbaijani army showed its strength, adding that Armenia has been for many years inventing lies, myths about its army, alleging that it has an invincible army.

“The April battles showed which army is invincible. The Azerbaijani army is the invincible army. The Azerbaijani army can execute any task. There is no such a military target in the occupied territories and Nagorno-Karabakh that can’t be destroyed by Azerbaijan’s army,” said President Aliyev.

He went on to add that today the Azerbaijani army is among the strongest armies, adding that the national army ranks very high in ratings of strongest armies.

President Aliyev noted that the combat readiness of Azerbaijan’s army stands at a high level and is rising day by day.

“Discipline and order prevail in our army. Material and technical support of our army is at the highest level,” he said, adding that in recent years Azerbaijan has purchased the most modern weaponry and military equipment worth billions of dollars.

 “The world has once again seen that Azerbaijan will never reconcile with the aggressive policy of Armenia. We must restore and will restore our territorial integrity. This is our ancestral land, our historical land, and we will return to our land, which today is still under occupation,” said the head of state.

“Azerbaijan is strengthening day by day. We have strong potential and a strong army. We are proud of our army, soldiers and officers, you – our sons standing here face to face with the enemy. Glory to you! Azerbaijan will develop, and we will restore our territorial integrity. Thank you!,” added the head of state.