Liberators of strategic Karabakh townlet share impressions on anniversary day

The counter-offensive operations of the Azerbaijani Army that started on September 27, 2020, resulted in a historic victory. As a result of the battles, news of liberation of villages, settlements, and cities came almost every day. A piece of good news for the people of Azerbaijan on this day in 2020 was the liberation of Hadrut settlement. Today, the people of Azerbaijan are celebrating the first anniversary of the liberation of Hadrut, which has been under the enemy occupation for 28 years. Last year, as a result of a successful counter-offensive operation by our glorious Army under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Hadrut was cleared of invaders, thus the triumphant Azerbaijani Army ended the 28-year-long occupation. The battle for the liberation of Hadrut was one of the brilliant operations of the Azerbaijani Army.

Fighters involved in the operation for Hadrut told Report that the liberation of the town was one of the decisive operations that decided the fate of the war. Because it was after the liberation of Hadrut that the Azerbaijani Army headed for Shusha.

War veteran Qorxmaz Teymurlu said that taking Hadrut was possible thanks to a very difficult military operation. In his opinion, he and his comrades-in-arms entered the settlement through impassable roads, mountains and bushes: “We have recaptured Hadrut step by step and liberated it from the enemy. These are all memorable days. On these days last year, we were fighting with our comrades-in-arms on these lands. Our strength was inexhaustible, so our army was advancing every day."

Teymurlu says that one of his closest friends was martyred in a fierce clash. According to him, the martyrdom of his friend instilled in him more strength and power. Therefore, he promised to take revenge for his friend: “Imagine that your comrade-in-arms, who was always together with you, is martyred in front of your eyes. We promised ourselves once again that the blood of our martyrs will not remain unrevenged and it happened so. Thank God, we both avenged our friends and regained our lands."

Azerbaijani Army Lieutenant-Colonel Firuz Badalov said that when they reached Hadrut, they organized the defense and protection of heights:

"When our units entered Hadrut, the enemy panicked. Because they could not determine from which direction our units would enter. We entered the settlement from almost all sides. They thought that the Azerbaijani Army would stop after encountering their resistance. But, of course, the operation did not go as they expected. Because the fighters of the Azerbaijani Army are very strong, fearless, professional, and powerful. Therefore, Armenians could not stand in front of Azerbaijani soldiers and left their equipment and weapons on the Hadrut-Tug road and fled.

The officer of the Special Forces said that very strong combat operations were carried out in the direction of Hadrut. According to him, despite difficulties, the goal was to fulfill the tasks and liberate the lands: “Because our goal was to liberate Hadrut from the enemy. Therefore, by the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, we did our best and liberated Hadrut from occupation by fulfilling all the instructions. We also took revenge on our martyrs."

Ruslan Imamguliyev, a military expert, said that the Hadrut military operation was difficult as Hadrut is a mountainous area. The enemy, taking a position at high strategic points, could easily defend itself. Carrying out counter-offensive operations in such a mountainous area is a very difficult process.

“The enemy knew it, too. However, the enemy, who could not stand in front of the brave Azerbaijani Army, was forced to retreat. The Azerbaijani Army crossed the Shishdag mountain range and attacked the enemy. Crossing the Shishdag range is not an easy task. Because we are talking about overcoming the height of 1,300-1,400 meters. This mountain range could be crossed only by highly trained and skilled infantry, special forces, assault and reconnaissance battalions. Thus, after the successful implementation of the military operation, Hadrut was liberated from occupation.

After the liberation of Hadrut by the brave Azerbaijani army, the enemy could not stand its failure and spread misinformation that the settlement was still under their control in order to inspire the so-called victorious army, made up of old and weak Armenians.

The Azerbaijani Army continued to liberate several villages and towns every day, while they were involved in the false information they were spreading. The march of the army eventually led to a great victory."

May our victory always be blessed!