Azerbaijani army: Glorious history rooting from early 20th century

Source: AzerNews

The military history of Azerbaijan has experienced a glorious period of development, which continues to this day.

This year the Azerbaijani Army marks its 95th anniversary, marking the establishment of one of the most powerful armies of the East. The history of the modern Azerbaijani army dates back to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in the early 20th century. The Armed Forces of the Azerbaijan Republic were created on June 26, 1918 to protect the country from the military aggression of Armenia and Russia.

Azerbaijani servicemen and generals have played an important role in the formation of the first regular army of the country.

The outstanding generals, such as Samedbey Mehmandarov, Ali-Agha Shikhlinski, Khosrov bey Sultanov, Mamedbey Sulkevich and others are the founders of the Azerbaijani Army and made a tremendous effort for its establishment.

Prior to the establishment of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic, these generals served in the Imperial Russian Army and experienced the Russian-Japanese War in 1904-1905 and the First World War in 1914-1918.

For their courage in the Russo-Japanese War and World War I, Samedbey Mehmandarov Ali-Agha Shikhlinski and Mamedbey Sulkevich received the highest awards.

After the Russo-Japanese war Samedbey Mehmandarov was granted the rank of artillery general, which was tantamount to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Also, after that war, Ali-Agha Shikhlinski was awarded a golden sword and conferred the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

Shikhlinski as a highly qualified military man taught at the school training artillery officers. His books were used as textbooks not only in Russia, but also in the artillery schools of France, Austria, Norway, Switzerland and other countries.

Azerbaijani servicemen also served in World War I and most of them were awarded with the highest medals of England, France, Romania and other countries. During the war, "Tatar cavalry regiment" comprising Azerbaijani youth was organized. The imperial generals called them the "wild division" due to their fearlessness. The Azerbaijani National Army, which was established in 1918, was formed on the basis of that regiment.

On June 26, 1918, Muslim Corps, established according to a decision of the Special Transcaucasian Committee, was renamed to Detached Corps of Azerbaijan with the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

From its first days sub-units of the Azerbaijani Army fought the illegally formed Armenian armed groups in tough battles throughout the territory of the country. The Azerbaijani army became a secure guarantee of independence of the republic and its people, who had made a choice to establish a democratic government.

ADR's first de-facto Minister of Defense was Khosrov bey Sultanov. During his term in office, Sultanov undertook the formation of the army. According to the parliament-approved plan, the most important entities and divisions were to be established by November 1, 1919. Within this timeframe, two infantry divisions consisting of three regiments, an artillery division, cavalry and machine gun platoons, railway battalions, etc. were to be created. Sultanov frequently visited the army units and examined the progress in the army building process.

When the Ministry of Defense was formally established Gen. Samedbey Mehmandarov became the minister, and then lieutenant-general Ali-Agha Shikhlinski was appointed his deputy. In a short time the Azerbaijani army was established through the efforts of these two powerful personalities. They managed to create 25,000 troops, and 24 percent of the state budget was allocated for military purposes. The first military parade in the ADR was held in 1919.

Azerbaijani armed forces managed to overcome the attacks of the Armenian armed groups, the uprising of dashnaks was suppressed and the national army demonstrated its combat readiness.

Unfortunately, after the Red Army invasion of Azerbaijan and the establishment of the Soviet regime in Azerbaijan in April 1920, the national army was abolished.

Nonetheless, Azerbaijani soldiers continued to serve in the Soviet Army. Some 800,000 Azerbaijanis fought within the ranks of the Soviet armed forces, and 400,000 of them died. The Azerbaijani national formations of the Red Army included the 223rd, 227th, 396th, 402nd, and 416th Rifle Divisions. Outstanding Azerbaijani Major-General Hazi Aslanov was awarded the title of two-time Hero of the Soviet Union.

When Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, it was already in the state of war with Armenia. The Armenians had territorial claims against Azerbaijan, and as a result of this Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory.

In 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan made the decision on establishing the army and during the early years of independence some measures were taken to accomplish that goal.

After national leader Heydar Aliyev's coming to power again in 1993, a significant impetus was given to taking substantial measures in the area of army building in the country. Constructive work and structural reforms carried out in the Armed Forces led to the planning of battle-related objectives under centralized management, management of the military divisions according to the requirements of proper military science, and improvement of the personnel.

Day of the Armed Forces is annually celebrated on June 26 in Azerbaijan, in accordance with a relevant decree issued by the former President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev.

Officers of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces receive education in the military academies of Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Pakistan, China, Germany, Britain, Italy, Romania, Hungary as well as undergo various courses.

Azerbaijani servicemen have also been serving in the peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

As a result of the state attention to the military, the Azerbaijani military is currently one of the skillful armies in the world and the most powerful one in the region. With the strengthening of the armed forces, the military power, and at the same time the Azerbaijani government, is strengthening and ready to counter any threats posed by the foes.