Impossible Becomes Possible: The Historic Mission of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev

These events will be remembered for the rest of their lives, not only by all citizens of Azerbaijan, but also by tens of millions of Azerbaijanis around the world. I am referring to the final stage of the 44-day war, its last days. Exactly four years ago, on the afternoon of November 7, the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, made the traditional, heart-stopping appeal to the Azerbaijani people, one that had been eagerly awaited by all.

He announced the capture of the villages of Yukhara Veysalli, Yukhara Seidakhmedli, Korgan, Mahmudlu 3, Qajar, Divanalylar in the Fuzuli district, Yukhara Mazra, Yanarhaj in the Jabrayil district, Kazyan, Bala Soltanli, Mardanli in the Kubatli district, Beshdali in the Zangilan district, Karabulak, Moshkhmaat in the Khojaly (formerly Askeran) district, and Atagut and Tsakuri in the Khojavend district.

It is noteworthy that this was the first time since September 27 that Azerbaijan announced the capture of villages in the Khojaly region. The enemy was broken, but still resisted. The Armenian side even brought in militants from different parts of the world. On the evening of November 7, 2020, a group of militants from Abkhazia arrived in Karabakh to support the Armenian occupiers. However, these were futile attempts to prevent Azerbaijan's inevitable victory.

On the same day, a correspondent for *Le Monde* reported from Khankendi that dozens of wounded soldiers had been taken to the city's hospital, and that "the defenders of Shusha were torn to shreds." According to the reporter, the remaining soldiers "came down from the mountains, exhausted, unsure if they would return to battle, throwing away their uniforms along the way."

This poetic description from the French press captured the military and political fiasco not only of the Armenian leadership, but of the entire global Armenian community and their supporters.

The reality on the ground, however, was that on the morning of November 7, Azerbaijani Special Forces launched an assault on Shusha from three directions, immediately engaging in intense street fighting. At that time, Armenian forces inside the city numbered more than two thousand soldiers, along with armored vehicles and heavy artillery. Yet, by the afternoon of November 7, the resistance of the Armenian forces had already been broken.

On November 8, 2020, President Ilham Aliyev made the historic announcement in an address to the people from the Shehidlyar cemetery:

"Dear compatriots, dear brothers and sisters! With boundless pride, I declare that the city of Shusha has been liberated from occupation! Our Shusha! Karabakh is ours! I sincerely congratulate the entire Azerbaijani people on this occasion! I sincerely congratulate all the residents of Shusha!" he proclaimed at the time.

However, I would like to highlight the following words of our President:

"To inform the Azerbaijani people about this on such a historic day is perhaps one of the happiest moments in my life," President Ilham Aliyev said.

Indeed, no one can truly understand or appreciate the scale of emotions that overwhelmed one of the greatest political figures of our time at that moment.

This was his personal, monumental victory — a victory he had been striving for since the first days of his presidency. Ilham Aliyev completed a historic mission. He fulfilled the promise made to the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev. He wiped away the tears of a million Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons who had annually mourned the anniversary of the occupation of their land.

He elevated Azerbaijan's status, proving to the world that our country is a powerful, established state capable of achieving any goal, even when opposed by leading world powers. These accomplishments are the result of President Ilham Aliyev’s brilliant strategy. The essence of this strategy was to build a country with a strong economy, exceptional diplomacy, and a powerful, combat-ready army.

But most importantly, the strategy of our President was to unite the nation. Regardless of their political beliefs, nationality, or religion, the citizens of Azerbaijan fought for the liberation of Karabakh and the triumph of justice. In the same way, all Azerbaijanis, at home and abroad, contributed to bringing the victory as close as possible. And so, on November 8, 2020, this was announced — by the one who made the impossible possible, who realized the dream of all Azerbaijanis worldwide — President Ilham Aliyev.