State Sovereignty Day: Azerbaijan’s Path to Independence and Recent Developments in Karabakh
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Today marks Azerbaijan’s State Sovereignty Day, a poignant reminder of the nation’s arduous journey toward freedom and independence. Celebrated annually, this day symbolizes the country’s enduring resolve to safeguard its sovereignty, which has been hard-won through decades of conflict and diplomacy. This year’s commemoration holds special significance as it coincides with Azerbaijan’s recent efforts to fully restore its territorial integrity in Karabakh, a region historically mired in conflict with neighboring Armenia.

A Nation’s Struggle for Sovereignty

Azerbaijan’s sovereignty has always been deeply intertwined with its territorial integrity. The collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s granted Azerbaijan independence, but the fledgling republic immediately faced a bitter territorial dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan’s borders. The First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994) resulted in Armenia’s occupation of the region and several surrounding districts, leaving Azerbaijan to grapple with the loss of a significant portion of its territory.

For nearly three decades, Azerbaijan sought to regain control of Karabakh through diplomatic efforts, international appeals, and negotiations, while continuing to assert its right to the territory under international law. However, a lasting resolution proved elusive, as Armenia refused to withdraw its forces or negotiate on Azerbaijan’s terms.

Victory in the Patriotic War

The turning point came in 2020 when Azerbaijan launched a military campaign known as the 44-Day Patriotic War. The swift and decisive operation culminated in Azerbaijan’s victory, leading to the recapture of much of the occupied territories. This marked a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan’s history, as it paved the way for the restoration of its territorial integrity and reinforced the nation’s sovereignty.

Following the war, Azerbaijan sought to consolidate peace in the region. President Ilham Aliyev extended an olive branch to Armenia, proposing a peace agreement based on the mutual recognition of territorial integrity. This proposal represented an opportunity for long-term stability in the South Caucasus, signaling Azerbaijan’s readiness to turn the page on decades of hostility and focus on peaceful coexistence.

Armenian Provocations and Escalation

However, Armenia’s leadership, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, rejected Azerbaijan’s peace offer and, instead, opted for a strategy of provocation and military escalation. In a particularly egregious act of defiance, Pashinyan publicly congratulated the illegal regime in Karabakh on its so-called “independence day” on September 2, 2023. Just a week later, on September 9, an illegal “presidential election” was held by separatists in the region, further straining the fragile peace.

These moves by Armenia deepened regional tensions and undermined the prospect of dialogue. Azerbaijan, committed to safeguarding its sovereignty, had little choice but to respond.

Anti-Terror Measures in Karabakh: A Step Toward Sovereignty

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan initiated counter-terrorism measures in Karabakh, aimed at neutralizing armed separatist groups and restoring full control over its internationally recognized territory. The operation, carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, involved cutting off supply routes to Armenian forces, seizing strategic positions, and targeting key strongholds of separatist groups.

This meticulously planned operation was conducted by international law, with a clear objective to safeguard Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and prevent further threats to national security. Despite its military nature, the operation was executed without civilian casualties, a testament to Azerbaijan’s restraint and commitment to minimizing harm to non-combatants.

By September 20, Azerbaijan had successfully restored control over a significant area in Karabakh, sending a powerful message to both Armenia and the international community: Azerbaijan’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.

International Reactions: A Mixed Response

Despite the legal and strategic justification for Azerbaijan’s actions, the international response has been mixed. Several Western countries, including France and the United States, have criticized Azerbaijan, expressing support for Armenia and calling for a de-escalation of hostilities. This reaction has raised questions about the West’s inconsistent territorial integrity and sovereignty stance.

France, in particular, has been vocal in its support for Armenia, with President Emmanuel Macron repeatedly condemning Azerbaijan’s military actions. The U.S. response has been more measured, calling for peace while also expressing concern over the escalation of violence.

These criticisms, however, have not deterred Azerbaijan from its course. The government in Baku remains resolute in its determination to restore sovereignty over all its territories, asserting that international law is on its side. President Aliyev has emphasized that Azerbaijan’s actions in Karabakh are a matter of national security and a necessary step to ensure lasting peace in the region.

Looking Ahead: The Path to Peace or Further Conflict?

As Azerbaijan marks State Sovereignty Day, the nation stands at a crossroads. The recent anti-terror measures in Karabakh have reinforced Azerbaijan’s territorial claims and demonstrated its military prowess, but they have also exposed the fragility of peace in the South Caucasus.

Armenia, for its part, faces a choice: continue its policy of provocation, which risks further military confrontations, or engage in meaningful negotiations to secure a lasting peace. President Aliyev’s offer of a peace agreement, based on the mutual recognition of territorial borders, remains on the table, but the window of opportunity is closing.

For Azerbaijan, the pursuit of sovereignty is not merely a matter of reclaiming land; it is about securing a future free from conflict, where the nation can focus on economic development, regional cooperation, and strengthening its role on the global stage.

Conclusion

September 20, 2023, will be remembered not only as State Sovereignty Day but also as a milestone in Azerbaijan’s ongoing struggle to restore its territorial integrity. The anti-terror operations in Karabakh have brought Azerbaijan closer to achieving full sovereignty, a goal that has been decades in the making. While the path ahead remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Azerbaijan will continue to defend its sovereignty, regardless of external pressures, ensuring that the hard-won gains of the past years are not lost.

As the nation celebrates its independence, it does so with the knowledge that the fight for sovereignty is not yet over, but with the confidence that its future is firmly in its own hands.

 

References

  1. Azerbaijan’s Victory in the 44-Day War: This is widely documented by various international media and geopolitical analysis platforms. The war, which concluded in November 2020, resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control of much of Nagorno-Karabakh. For more detailed references, see sources like:
    • BBC News. (2020). “Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia sign peace deal.”
    • Al Jazeera. (2020). “Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia sign Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal.”
  2. Ilham Aliyev’s Peace Proposal: President Aliyev’s offer to Armenia for mutual recognition of territorial integrity has been mentioned in statements from international organizations such as:
    • OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe). They’ve facilitated peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
  3. Armenian Provocations and Escalations: Reports on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s congratulatory message to the Karabakh regime on September 2, 2023, as well as the illegal presidential election, have been reported in Armenian and Azerbaijani media. Sources include:
    • The Jamestown Foundation. (2023). “Armenia’s provocations in Karabakh spark tensions.”
  4. September 19, 2023, Counter-Terrorism Measures: Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense has released official statements regarding their counter-terrorism operations in Karabakh, as well as international reports on these events. Check official Azerbaijani government channels and reports from:
    • APA News (Azerbaijan Press Agency). (2023). “Azerbaijan’s military counter-terrorism operation in Karabakh.”
  5. Western Nations’ Responses: Countries like France and the United States have publicly condemned Azerbaijan’s actions in Karabakh, and this has been reported by:
    • France24. (2023). “France condemns Azerbaijan’s military actions.”
    • U.S. Department of State press releases, which have commented on the need for peace in the region.

For an academic perspective, Caucasus-related studies published by think tanks like the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace or the International Crisis Group often provide deep analyses of these issues.

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