Azerbaijan celebrates Day of Armed Forces

Azerbaijani people are celebrating the country’s Day of Armed Forces.

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces were formed by the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic on June 26, 1918. Azerbaijan achieved significant results in creating its own armed forces in a short time.

The Supreme Council of Azerbaijan ordered formation of the Armed Forces on October 9, 1991. The president set June 26 as the Day of the Armed Forces on May 22, 1998.

Military parades were held on June 26, 2011 in Baku, in connection with the Armed Forces Day and the 20th anniversary of restoration of the country's independence and in 2013, on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day. Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev delivered speech at the military parades.

The Azerbaijani army is ranked in 52nd place in terms of its potential on a global scale. 

A video footage dedicated to the Day of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces celebrated on June 26 was posted yesterday on Ilham Aliyev’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.

First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has congratulated the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Day of the Armed Forces in the congratulatory message posted on her official Instagram page.

"Dear fellow countrymen! Dear servicemen and veterans! Today we mark the Day of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. This is a holiday of military valor, honour and bravery. Today we pay tribute to the heroism of those who defend our homeland by putting their lives at risk.

The Day of the Armed Forces is a true national holiday. The army is the backbone of our statehood, security and stability. Military power of the state is determined by a number of factors. But the key strength of our army is the fighting spirit and boundless love of the Azerbaijani soldiers and officers to the motherland.

Dear servicemen! We are proud of your bravery, courage and the highest professionalism. I heartily congratulate you on the occasion of this remarkable holiday," the First Vice-President's statement reads.

On the occasion of the Armed Forces Day, the leadership of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense visited the Alley of Honors and Alley of Martyrs yesterday.

First, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense laid wreaths at the monument of Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev and revered his memory. Then the Defense Ministry’s officials visited the Alley of Martyrs, laid wreaths at the Eternal Flame monument, raised up in memory of Azerbaijani compatriots who died in the battles for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and flowers at the graves of the martyrs.

An official meeting under the leadership of Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov with the participation of deputy defense ministers, commanders of various types of troops, chiefs of main departments, departments and services of the ministry, commanders of Army Corps as well as commanders of formations and other officials involved in meeting via the video communication was held yesterday at the Central Command Post.

The minister of defense conveyed his congratulations to the meeting participants on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day and emphasized that the whole military personnel of the Azerbaijani army has perceived with deep feeling of gratitude and with high spirit the order signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev to enhance the social protection of servicemen. The minister expressed confidence that the work carried out by the state in this area will be continued.

The defense minister assigned tasks for officials to pay special attention to the implementation of strict control over the operational situation on the line of contact of troops, to increase vigilane and ensure the security of military personnel.