President: Azerbaijani army growing even stronger than during 2020 war [UPDATE]

President Ilham Aliyev has said that Azerbaijani Army is becoming even stronger than during the 44-day war with Armenian in 2020.

He made the remarks while visiting a military unit of the Defence Ministry Special Forces on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of its establishment on April 30.

“Reforms are underway in other armed forces as well. New military units capable of conducting special operations are being established, and the Azerbaijani Army is becoming even stronger. Today, our army is even stronger and more powerful than during the war,” he said.

Noting that a year and a half passed since the second Karabakh war, Aliyev added that one of the factors that preconditioned the victory is patriotism.

“We have demonstrated to the whole world that we are a great nation and we have fought the war with dignity,” he said.

The president mentioned that the situation in the region is completely different now. He stressed that Azerbaijan is multiplying its strength as a victorious nation and as a victorious country.

He underlined that Azerbaijan has achieved what it wanted, restored historical justice, honorably fulfilled its duty to the people, to history, and to future generations, and doesn’t want war.

“But we must always be alert. Because revanchist forces are still raising their heads in Armenia. There are still those in Armenia who make territorial claims against Azerbaijan. We must always keep it in the spotlight and must not be indifferent to that. This is why additional funds were allocated for army building after the second Karabakh war,” he said.

Aliyev added that from 2004 to date, military expenditure is and will be the number one expenditure, including the number of special forces.

“I do not want to say anything about the numbers now, but I can say that after the second Karabakh war, the number of special forces has doubled. The process of selection is now even tougher and the interest is greater,” he said.

Speaking about the special forces, Aliyev noted that they have made an immense contribution to Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War in 2020.

 “I know this as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and I have told the Azerbaijani public about it. All the people of Azerbaijan know this, and the enemy knows it. The liberation of our villages from the first days of the war shook up the enemy. They did not believe that the Azerbaijani Army could achieve this historic victory by breaking through five or six lines of defence with its chest, shedding blood and giving martyrs,” he said.

The president underlined that from the very first days of the war, Azerbaijan’s army was moving forward and never took a step back. Recalling that there were more than 10,000 deserters in the Armenian army during the war, he emphasized that there was not a single deserter in the Azerbaijani army.

“These are the moral qualities of the Azerbaijani people. These are our national spirit and love of the Motherland. It was the love of the homeland, but at the same time, training and professionalism that drove us forward,” he said.

The president also emphasized the role of special forces, along with other military units, in liberating Azerbaijani cities and villages.

“After a series of successful operations, our path to Shusha was opened. By saying path, we understand there was no road... From the first day to the last day of the war, our goal was to liberate Shusha, our beloved city, the crown of Karabakh, from Armenian occupation, and we achieved that, you achieved that, the special forces achieved that. Our tireless heroes took days to cross through those valleys and forests, with only light weapons in their hands. They liberated many villages along the way, shed blood, gave martyrs, but did not stop and only marched forward,” he said.

He added that the number of people going to Shusha through the Victory Road has significantly increased of late, both Azerbaijani and foreign citizens.

“During their subsequent contacts with me, people ask me how we could build this road in Azerbaijan in such a short time? And I say in reply that this is not the main issue – just imagine how our soldiers and officers passed through those forests, paving that road, and by naming this Victory Road, we have inscribed this glorious Victory in our history once again,” he said.

Recalling that the special military unit was established in Azerbaijan’s armed forces on the basis of national leader Heydar Aliyev’s decision, Ilham Aliyev stressed again that since then special forces have played a tremendous role in achieving the historic victory, having covered a great and glorious road and showing unparalleled heroism in the Patriotic War.

“The historic victory of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces will forever remain in our history. We will live forever as a victorious nation and as a victorious state. It was our children, soldiers and officers who gave us this joy. All the Armed Forces made a valuable contribution to this Victory, and in this historic Victory was achieved in a matter of 44 days,” he said.