10 November 2020 was a date that would be written in golden letters in Azerbaijan's history. It marked the day when territories forcibly separated from Azerbaijan in the 1990s and kept under occupation for more than three decades were finally restored to its control. Yet the significance of that day extended beyond a military victory.
It also demonstrated how advanced technology, military preparedness and evolving battlefield tactics could determine the outcome of a conflict. Over the course of 44 days, Azerbaijani forces advanced through challenging terrain, covering kilometres of winding roads, steep slopes and mountainous landscapes. Their campaign culminated in the liberation of Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Gubadli and, finally, Shusha – a city whose return had become a long-awaited national aspiration.
The operation, codenamed Iron Fist, demonstrated the tactical capabilities, discipline and combat readiness of the Azerbaijani armed forces. On 10 November 2020, Armenia signed a trilateral statement bringing the fighting to an end and accepting the new military realities on the ground. When hostilities erupted in September 2020, Azerbaijan's objective was clear: to restore control over territories lost during the First Karabakh War.
Forty-four days later, Azerbaijani forces had fundamentally altered the territorial map and military balance of the South Caucasus. Several factors contributed to Azerbaijan's success. Its armed forces made effective use of drones and other precision-guided weapons, weakening Armenia's military positions and exposing the limitations of conventional military tactics.
The coordination of air power with ground operations, alongside the maintenance of reliable supply lines, also proved crucial. Equally important were years of investment in military modernisation, advanced weaponry and the development of the country's defence capabilities. Much can be said about the course of the 44-day war, its military strategy and its wider consequences.
But one point stands out: the conflict did not simply transform the geopolitical balance of the South Caucasus; it also resonated far beyond the region, attracting international attention and prompting wider discussion about sovereignty, territorial integrity and the changing nature of warfare. It is no coincidence that Azerbaijan's experience has acquired particular relevance in the context of Ukraine's ongoing struggle to regain control over its territories. As the Ukrainian people continue their fight, Azerbaijan's historic victory in Karabakh has also served as an example and a source of motivation, reinforcing the belief that the restoration of territorial integrity remains an achievable objective, even after decades of conflict and difficult political circumstances.
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