Based on the trilateral statement signed by the President of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, and the President of the Russian Federation, which is considered Armenia's capitulation, Aghdam district was returned on November 20, 2020, without military operations or casualties. According to the Decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023, November 20, the day Aghdam city was liberated from occupation, is celebrated as Aghdam City Day.
AZERTAC looks at Aghdam's past and present.
Aghdam district is located in the foothills of the Karabakh plain. Aghdam city, founded in the 18th century, is one of the ancient historical places. Aghdam has many architectural and art monuments with ancient history. Among them are the mausoleum built in the 19th century, the Khanoglu mausoleum, Panah Khan's mausoleum and palace, two sarcophagus-like monuments, and the 15th-century Sardaba.
Aghdam in numbers...
On July 23, 1993, the Armenian Armed Forces occupied a large part of Aghdam, located in the center of Karabakh. In the battles against the Armenian occupiers for the district, which lasted more than 5 years, 5,897 people were martyred and 3,531 people were wounded. During the occupation, the district suffered damages amounting to 13 billion 135 million United States dollars.
Aghdam is the largest district by population among the liberated districts. The administrative territory of the district includes 1 city, 14 settlements, and 123 villages. The district center is located 3 kilometers from the Gargar River, in the southeast of the Karabakh plain. Before the occupation, Aghdam had a population of 143,000. In the occupied territory of the district, there were 38 collective and state farms, 24 construction organizations, 12 industrial enterprises, 74 schools, 105 healthcare institutions, 271 cultural centers, and 99 clubs. The ancient Garaghaji cemetery, and the 1st and 2nd Martyrs' Alleys, where victims of the Khojaly genocide were also buried, were subjected to Armenian savagery.
Aghdam was the second city in our country after Baku with the most galleries, exhibition halls, and museum exhibits. There were 134 registered historical and cultural monuments in the district, including 4 of world importance, 2 of national importance, and 130 architectural and archaeological monuments of local importance. 75 of these monuments remained in the occupation zone. Before the occupation, there were 3,006 hectares of forest area in the district. In Aghdam city, protected as a natural monument, 14 Oriental plane trees aged 150-250 years, and 71 Oriental plane trees around Boyahmadli village, reaching 400 years of age, were destroyed. 64,863 thousand cubic meters of saw stone, 140,464 thousand tons of Chobandag limestone, as well as Boyahmadli and Shorbulag clay deposits of 44,708 thousand tons and 25,197 thousand tons, respectively, remained under occupation.
Historically, Aghdam was a district with heavy food and light industry, and developed agriculture. The district had machine tool equipment, aerospace and communication devices, hardware and fittings, tractor and automobile repair, asphalt, canning, butter-cheese, silkworm seed, cotton, wine, and mechanized bread factories, a carpet factory, grain products, building materials, and meat processing plants, two railway stations and an airport, the U. Hajibeyli Music College, the A. Hagverdiyev Aghdam State Drama Theater, and other social and cultural facilities. 1,700 hectares of Aghdam district's territory were forested, and 91.3 hectares consisted of agricultural land.
The "City of Ghosts" returns to life
During more than 27 years of occupation by the Armenian Armed Forces, not a single stone was left standing in the district. Aghdam, once considered the main gateway to Karabakh, captivating with its beauty and charm, resembled a dead city. It is no coincidence that in several media outlets, it was figuratively called the "Hiroshima of the Caucasus" and the "City of Ghosts."
During the counter-offensive operation launched on September 27, 2020, against the Armenian attack, the soldiers and officers of the Azerbaijani Army displayed great bravery and heroism. As a result of their unparalleled courage and the unity of the people-army-government, our lands under enemy occupation were liberated and returned to their ancient and eternal owner. The victory achieved in the Patriotic War forced Armenia to sign the act of capitulation and withdraw from the territories. The remaining occupied part of Aghdam district was handed over to Azerbaijan without a single shot being fired.
Five years ago, on November 23, President, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited Aghdam city. The raising of Azerbaijan's tricolor flag by the head of state in Aghdam evoked immense pride and joy in the hearts of millions of our compatriots, symbolizing the triumph of justice. The President's remarks during that visit created great hopes in everyone: "...The ruined city of Aghdam is a witness to Armenian savagery. We will restore Aghdam city, we will restore all villages. Let no one doubt this. This will be a great undertaking. Of course, it will require great effort. But just as we showed unity during 44 days, I am confident that we will also show unity and determination in the restoration of our liberated lands. We will restore all our cities, and they will be even more beautiful cities. We will restore the historical monuments remaining in our cities and once again demonstrate our strength."
Aghdam's new era
Since then, large-scale construction and reconstruction works have begun in the district. Although much of its territory was mined, demining operations have been carried out, and the city's social map has begun to be rebuilt in a completely new and modern way.
Over the past four years, several important infrastructure projects have been implemented in Aghdam city. Aghdam's Master Plan was prepared and approved by leading international companies. On May 28, 2021, the Master Plan of Aghdam city was presented to President Ilham Aliyev, and on the same day, the foundation stone for the restoration of Aghdam city was laid.
President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva constantly monitor the restoration of Aghdam and the construction and reconstruction works in the district. This year alone, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have visited Aghdam several times to familiarize themselves with the ongoing works in the district. On February 18, they familiarized themselves with the construction works carried out at Aghdam City Full Secondary School No. 1, Kindergarten-Nursery No. 1, the 2nd residential complex with 1268 apartments, the conditions created in the "Aghdam Residence" residential complex, the construction works at the Aghdam Mugham Center, and the construction works at the "Hilton Garden Inn" hotel. The head of state participated in the opening of "Azerishig" Open Joint Stock Company's Aghdam Regional Digital Management Center and Training-Education Complex.
On March 27,