Today marks six years since the start of the Patriotic War.

Operativ Media recalls that on September 27, 2020, under the leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Army launched counter-offensive operations along the entire front line to prevent military provocations and combat activity by the Armenian armed forces, and to ensure the safety of the civilian population.

The counter-offensive, launched in response to Armenia's large-scale provocations and shelling of Azerbaijani Army positions and civilian settlements, later became known as Operation "Iron Fist" and escalated into the Patriotic War.

During the 44-day Patriotic War, Azerbaijani President and Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev regularly addressed the nation. These addresses rallied the Azerbaijani people, uniting them like a single fist, and had a powerful impact on the course and outcome of the war. Each address became a prelude to subsequent victories.

In his first address to the nation on September 27, 2020, the President of Azerbaijan set the tone for a decisive victory across the entire society.

On November 8, President and Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev announced the liberation of the city of Shusha in an address to the nation. Following this, Armenia accepted defeat and was forced to sign an act of capitulation.

On November 10, the "Statement of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and the President of the Russian Federation" was signed.

Thus, Azerbaijani lands, which Armenian military forces had gradually occupied over four years and held for nearly 30 years—building strong military fortifications, obstacles, and defensive lines—were liberated in 44 days. The territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan was restored, and the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict became history.

Some of the military equipment seized from the Armenian army as trophies was displayed at a military parade in Baku on December 10, 2020, and is also exhibited at the Military Trophies Park, which opened in Baku in April 2021.

State sovereignty and the constitutional order have been restored across all territories of Azerbaijan. Currently, restoration and reconstruction work is underway in the liberated territories, and the return of people to their homelands is being ensured.

Under a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on December 2, 2020, September 27 is observed annually as Remembrance Day in Azerbaijan, as a tribute of deep respect to the soldiers and officers who fought heroically in the Patriotic War and sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of our country, and to all our martyrs.

In connection with Remembrance Day, central and local executive authorities will organize a series of events nationwide, and commemorative ceremonies will also be held abroad.

As in previous years, on this Remembrance Day, our martyrs will be remembered with deep respect in religious temples operating in Azerbaijan—mosques, churches, and synagogues—and prayers will be offered for the souls of the sons of the Motherland who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

At 12:00, a minute of silence will be observed across the country to honor the memory of the martyrs.