The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev: “The enemy has been stricken such a blow by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces that they will not forget it for many years since now”.

On July 12, the Armenian armed forces dealt a blow on Azerbaijani positions with artillery mount and as a result of this unexpected blow, our servicemen were killed and wounded. Armenia attempted to show Azerbaijan as the aggressor of this provocation in the world. It was no coincidence that at this time skirmishes took place not on the line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh as usual, but on the frontier border, in the direction of Tovuz. Armenia wanted to create a new hotbed of conflict between borders of two countries. However, we have such an army that is equipped with modern weapons, strong and able to prevent any attack of the enemy. The enemy failed to obtain its goal and was forced to retreat due to such an army, its professional officers and soldiers, Supreme Commander-in-Chief who is iron-willed, working night and day and introducing Azerbaijan to the world. Long-term firing point, control point of artillery division, military equipment of various purposes, combat vehicles, defense reserves and manpower of the enemy were destroyed by the counter-attack of vigilant and courageous fighters. As it was obviously proved that the responsibility for violating the ceasefire lies entirely with the Armenian occupiers, Azerbaijan has appealed to all international organizations to bring Armenia to justice. As the head of the state noted that we do not have any military purpose on the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. If we wanted, we would capture certain lands of Armenia. The strength of our army would be enough for this. Unfortunately, while preventing the enemy’s attack the Azerbaijani Army also suffered casualties, a 76-year-old civilian Aziz Azizov was killed at his home, residential houses were severely damaged. We lost our officers, young servicemen and soldiers in this fight. May Allah rest their souls in peace, let them rest in peace. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces took our servicemen’s revenge, it will not remain unavenged and the enemy has been stricken such a blow that they will not forget it for many years from now. (end of quote) It is a matter of pride for us, the people of Gabala, that the brave commander Major General Polad Hashimov who died for the motherland, was distinguished in the Azerbaijani Army, had a special role in the April 2016 battles, the capture of Lalatapa Heights and made a lasting contribution to Azerbaijan's military history is a native of the Gabala. He was awarded the highest state decoration for his services in the army. One of our officers from Gabala Karimov Tabriz Ajdar was wounded and placed to a military hospital. We wish Allah’s mercy upon all our martyrs and healing to the wounded. In the words of Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (from his speech at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the results of socio-economic development in the first quarter of 2020 and future tasks), “The revenge of all the martyrs was taken in excess in a short time. Dozens of enemy soldiers were killed, and most of their control points along the border were destroyed. As well, their post and all infrastructures were destroyed. This operation, the military confrontation of recent days, is yet another glorious victory for us. In the last operation the Azerbaijani Army has once again demonstrated its advantage. Operations occurred on July 12, 2020 will take its place in the glorious history of the Azerbaijani Army. In 2018, as a result of a successful Nakhchivan operation, the Azerbaijani Army liberated an area of more than ten thousand hectares, and the occupiers were expelled from these regions”. Our people also showed national solidarity at such a tense moment. Everyone raised their voices in protest against the Armenian aggression, the people of the attacked villages did not leave their homes, a march was held in support of the army in the capital and young people stated that they were ready for fight at any time, waiting for the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's order. However, unfortunately, those who took advantage of the tension, those who had the handle of us, also raised their heads. There were those who spread baseless and provocative information on social networks and among the people, those who sat comfortably at home and stirred the pot abroad, and those who called the people to the Azadlig Square and dragged them to provocation. We understand that our sons are being killed, civilians are being killed, and our homeland is being destroyed. We receive exciting news every day. But let’s consider that all necessary measures are being taken by the state, the people are regularly informed about the measures taken, and videos are presented. Let’s be vigilant at such a difficult, tense, exciting moment, realize the truth, refer only to the official data of state bodies, the Ministry of Defense, be able to distinguish the white from the black, not to confuse the country by provoking, not to put the interests of our people at the feet of the enemy, not to take steps to damage the defense capability of the republic and support our state, our leader. Let's not succumb to betrayers, not commit incidents, let's not allow the enemy to rejoice. On the day when our martyrs were buried in their homeland for the sake of our freedom, a group of saboteurs attacked the National Assembly under colour of a march, declared their desire to "protect" the homeland by enabling destruction. They do not get that the road to Karabakh does not pass through the National Assembly. Let's not forget it is a period in which the pandemic is massively spreading, we are in a quarantine regime. We should be seriously concerned about the consequences of mass, unprotected, close contact in the streets. If we love our motherland, our family, and finally ourselves, we should follow the laws, support our state, and respect the spirit of our martyrs. We should believe that our army and state are strong and our enemy will never succeed in realizing its devil intents.