"Unfortunately, at that time, the Azerbaijani leadership was unable to protect you, failed to demonstrate political will, showed cowardice, and in fact reconciled itself with the occupation," President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during his meeting with residents relocated to the Karkijahan settlement in the city of Khankendi on December 23, APA reports.
"The subsequent government worsened the situation even further. The occupation of Shusha and Lachin occurred approximately five months after the occupation of Karkijahan. Before that, the Khojaly genocide was committed. At that time, both the leadership remaining from the Soviet era and the so-called leadership associated with the popular movement effectively abandoned the people living here to their fate. They could have defended you, but they did not.
Some acted out of cowardice, while others, in their pursuit of power, created chaos and anarchy in Azerbaijan and, in many cases, through betrayal, handed over our lands to the enemy. The APF–Musavat duo that later came to power plunged the country into a deep crisis through their incompetent and treacherous actions. Civil war, the occupation of Kalbajar, and the loss of the Lachin–Khankendi road gave Armenia significant advantages and ultimately led to large-scale occupation.
We, however, worked and fought day and night to liberate our ancient lands from enemy occupation and won the war. It is true that during the Second Karabakh War we did not completely end the occupation, but we never doubted that Khankendi, Khojavend, Aghdara, Asgaran, Karkijahan, and all other settlements and cities still under occupation at that time would be liberated.
Two years ago, as a result of an anti-terror operation that lasted only a few hours, we fully ended the occupation, restored our sovereignty, permanently expelled the occupiers from our lands, and today we live in peace. This is such a glorious history that I am confident both the current and future generations will always take pride in it," President noted.
