Liberation of Lachin - Azerbaijan’s pride Lachin inhabitants’ joy on Caliber.Az

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced on August 26, 2022, that Azerbaijan regained control over Lachin city, which is a historic event for the entire Azerbaijani people and country.

“Today, on 26 August, we - the Azerbaijanis – have returned to the city of Lachin. Azerbaijan’s army is now stationed in the city of Lachin. The villages of Zabukh and Sus were taken under control. I congratulate all the residents of Lachin and the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion. Long live Lachin! Long live Azerbaijan!” President Aliyev wrote on Twitter.

Bu gün, avqustun 26-da biz – Azərbaycanlılar Laçın şəhərinə qayıtmışıq. Azərbaycan Ordusu Laçın şəhərinə yerləşdi. Zabux və Sus kəndləri nəzarətə götürüldü. Bütün Laçınlıları və Azərbaycan xalqını bu münasibətlə təbrik edirəm.
Yaşasın Laçın!
Yaşasın Azərbaycan!

— İlham Əliyev (@azpresident) August 26, 2022

Taking into account the great historical significance of this event, Caliber.Az, with the assistance of the Azerbaijani State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs), was able to talk to some residents of Lachin, Zabukh, and Sus, who were forced to leave their houses 30 years ago as a result of the Armenian occupation and asked them to share their impressions.

A resident of Lachin city, Azerbaijani doctor Orkhan Jabrayil told us that he assesses today's event as a fact that will be included in all history books of Azerbaijan.

“Our descendants will appreciate this day even through the centuries. A city with an ancient history, its own traditions, culture, and population has been liberated. After the liberation of the Lachin district in December 2020, I visited the district three times and was amazed at the scale of the work being carried out there. Roads and power lines are being laid, electrical substations are being built, and an airport is being built - we did not even see this during the period of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)! This shows the country’s attention to the residents of the liberated districts,” he said.

“Now we all are very glad. Lachin residents are looking forward to returning to their city and living there again. It is clear that a lot should be done to achieve this by restoring the infrastructure destroyed by the Armenians, but people will live in completely different conditions. Sometimes a person does not believe in the best. We believed in the liberation of Lachin all the years during the Armenian occupation. There is a simple example. Look how many children are named Lachin! This testifies to the fact that we have not forgotten it. I am sure that as the flag of Azerbaijan is flying in Lachin today, it will be flying in Khankendi, Askeran, and Khojaly. Any war is a tragedy. But if this is a just, liberation war, victory in it is worthy. Glory to our army, our president, and our people for this victory! the doctor noted.

“Of course, it's too early to calm down. It is necessary to continue strengthening the army, and the diplomatic and political strength of the country. Of course, it is necessary to move towards the integration of the Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijani society. I think that for this purpose it is important to develop the liberated districts. When the Armenians see how the Azerbaijanis live there and compare their living conditions, this process will go faster,” Jabrayil noted.

“Once again, I congratulate all the Azerbaijani people on this wonderful day! I thank everyone for the liberation of Lachin, our sacrifice was not in vain,” Jabrayil said.

In turn, the resident of Lachin Shabnam Ughurlu told us that when the Armenians expelled her family from Lachin, she was only five years old.

“Now I am 35, I am involved in the education sector. Then, 30 years ago, my childhood, my childhood memories were destroyed. Thank God, we will return to Lachin forever. I express gratitude to the president, the army, and the country. I congratulate Azerbaijan, each of us! I hope to meet with you and continue our conversation in Lachin,” she said.

A resident of Zabukh village Allahverdi Aliyev noted that the news about the liberation of Lachin was a great joy for him.

“Is it possible to express it in words? This is great happiness given to Lachin residents by President Aliyev, our courageous soldiers, and officers, and our strong country. We have been waiting for this day for 30 years because this is sacred land for us, each inch is valuable to me. Its liberation is priceless. Now all Lachin residents congratulate each other, numerous phone calls are made! God willing, we will return there and restore everything destroyed by the Armenians, we will live well. This is a difficult and big job, but there are no unsolvable tasks for our country and people. I imagine my native village, I am looking forward to seeing it again!” Aliyev said.

A resident of Sus village Oqtay Isgandarov said that he perceives the liberation of his native village as another demonstration of the power of our country, army, the diplomatic, political, and military talent of President Aliyev.

“I wish long life to the Azerbaijani president. President Aliyev fulfills a historic mission, being an outstanding statesman. He is on his way, and we see the results in the development of Azerbaijan, in the return of our lands, and their liberation. Of course, now there is a lot of work to be done to restore both Sus and all other villages of Lachin. But it's a joyful job. I am now at the bus station - everyone is here, both acquaintances and strangers are congratulating each other on the liberation of Lachin. It is clear. When the Armenians occupied Sus and I had to leave my homeland, I was 40 years old. Now I am 70 years old. I am glad that Azerbaijan gave me such great joy, such good news. Azerbaijan can be proud of today's historic event - the liberation of Lachin,” Isgandarov noted.

We are also congratulating everybody on this occasion and are confident that very soon Lachin, like other liberated territories, will be restored and become more beautiful than before, showing the capabilities of Azerbaijan. The previous peaceful life, children's laughter, and joy will be seen and heard there again - everything will be as it should be.