Azerbaijan Marks Independence Restoration Day
Today marks Independence Restoration Day in Azerbaijan.
Operativ Media reports that on October 18, 1991, the Supreme Council adopted the Constitutional Act "On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan."
The Constitutional Act cited the Declaration of Independence dated May 28, 1918, and the Supreme Council's declaration dated August 30, 1991, "On the Restoration of the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan," establishing the Republic of Azerbaijan as the successor to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
This October 18 marks the 32nd anniversary of the restoration of the Republic of Azerbaijan's independence.
The Azerbaijani people established an independent republic early in the last century, and in 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan restored its independence as the successor to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
For the third time since 1991, the people of Azerbaijan are celebrating this holiday in a completely different atmosphere, as a victorious nation that has fully restored its territorial integrity.
In May 1992, the Parliament approved the State Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan (composed by Uzeyir Hajibeyov with lyrics by Ahmad Javad), followed shortly by the tricolor flag and the state emblem featuring an eight-pointed star with a flame inside.
On October 15, 2021, the Azerbaijani Parliament passed a new law "On Independence Day" during a plenary session. On the same day, President Ilham Aliyev signed the law into effect.
With the approval of the law, October 18—previously known as State Independence Day—was renamed Independence Restoration Day.
This year, Independence Restoration Day is being celebrated in a uniquely momentous atmosphere. On September 19, 2023, local anti-terror measures were launched in the region to enforce the provisions of the trilateral statement, prevent large-scale provocations in the Garabagh economic region, disarm and withdraw Armenian armed forces formations from the territory, neutralize their military infrastructure, ensure the safety of civilians returning to liberated areas, civilian workers engaged in reconstruction, and military personnel, and restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
During the operation, which lasted just over 23 hours, front-line and deep-echelon positions, firing points, combat vehicles, and military assets of the Armenian armed forces were neutralized using high-precision weapons. The opposing forces raised a white flag and surrendered, fully restoring constitutional order across all territories of Azerbaijan. Today, the glorious tricolor flag of Azerbaijan flies in every corner of Garabagh.
