Azerbaijan marked the 5th anniversary of Victory in the 44-Day Patriotic War with a grand military parade on Azadlig Square in Baku, attended by President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The ceremony opened with the national anthems of Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan, followed by a moment of silence in honor of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the fallen soldiers of the war. Defense Minister Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov delivered his report to the Commander-in-Chief before the parade officially began.
A Symbol of Unity and Strength
In his address, President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the nation on the fifth anniversary of the country’s “glorious victory,” highlighting the enduring bond between Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan.
“Today, my dear brother, President Erdoğan, stands with us once again, as he did five years ago,” Aliyev said.
“The Turkish people and leadership provided unwavering support during the Second Karabakh War. Their solidarity inspired our nation.
The words ‘Azerbaijan is not alone – Turkey stands with Azerbaijan!’ became a powerful message to the entire world.”
Aliyev also praised Pakistan’s steadfast support during the 44-day conflict, noting that for the first time, Pakistani servicemen marched alongside Azerbaijani and Turkish troops in a Victory Parade in Baku.
“This demonstrates the unity of our three brotherly nations,” he said, emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s victory restored not only its territorial integrity, but also national pride and historical justice.
Erdoğan: “Karabakh’s Liberation Is a Source of Pride for the Entire Turkic World”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, addressing the crowd, celebrated Azerbaijan’s military triumph as a “turning point for the Turkic world.”
“Every step of the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh, every drop of blood shed for freedom, became a symbol of honor written in golden letters in our common history,” he said.
Erdoğan lauded President Aliyev’s leadership, praised the reconstruction efforts in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, and reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to regional peace.
“We see this victory not as an end, but as the beginning of a lasting peace in the Caucasus,” he noted.
“Turkey will continue to stand by Azerbaijan and contribute to prosperity in the region.”
Shehbaz Sharif: “Azerbaijan’s Victory Is a Beacon of Hope”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan delivered an emotional speech, drawing parallels between Azerbaijan’s struggle and Pakistan’s own historic battles.
“Five years ago, the brave sons of Azerbaijan, under the wise leadership of President Aliyev, answered the call of history. The world watched as the heroic Azerbaijani Army liberated its ancestral lands – the majestic Karabakh,” he said.
Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Azerbaijan and Turkey and hailed the rapid post-war reconstruction led by President Aliyev as “phenomenal and beyond imagination.”
He also acknowledged the leadership of former U.S. President Donald Trump, crediting him for “helping to secure peace in South Asia,” and concluded with a message of fraternity:
“Pakistan and Azerbaijan – long live friendship! Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey – long live forever!”
A Spectacle of Military Pride
The parade featured columns of special forces, modern military hardware, and naval vessels of Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces. Later, joint air shows by Azerbaijani and Turkish pilots filled the skies above Baku, as JF-17 Thunder fighters from Pakistan roared overhead.
The event symbolized not only a celebration of victory but also a powerful display of strategic unity among Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Pakistan, underscoring their shared vision for regional stability, development, and peace.
