On November 8, we mark the fifth anniversary of the decisive military victory of Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh War. Historians have already written books about those now-legendary battles, and the lessons of this victory will be studied for years in military academies.
Azerbaijan’s standing in the world and the country’s international credibility have been strengthened, and ties between Israel and the “Land of Fire” have grown closer.
Above liberated Karabakh, the flag of sovereign Azerbaijan proudly flies. But let us recall at what cost and through what suffering this victory was won.
Splintering the former republics
When the Soviet Union collapsed, splintering the former republics through bloodshed and strife, Armenian armed formations attacked Azerbaijan. At that time, Azerbaijan had neither a regular army nor a stable authority. The timing of the assault was calculated precisely. Despite fierce resistance by Azerbaijanis, Armenian forces succeeded in capturing twenty percent of the territory of sovereign Azerbaijan.
From all the captured districts, the rightful owners – Azerbaijanis – were brutally expelled. They were left homeless and fled, barefoot, through snowy mountain passes and forest roads. Within Armenia itself lived 300,000 Azerbaijanis - today there are none. The ethnic cleansing in Armenia was successful, according to the Armenian fighters who expelled people from their homes.
Another 700,000 Azerbaijanis were forced out of Karabakh and the seven occupied Azerbaijani districts. Hundreds of civilians from the small Azerbaijani town of Khojaly were savagely killed, including women, the elderly, and children. In the occupied territory, the invaders destroyed mosques and desecrated cemeteries. A million refugees! For nearly thirty years, Azerbaijan demanded justice from the world. Demanded recognition of the tragedy of its people and an end to the horrors of occupation.
For almost three decades, Azerbaijan’s refugees carried the keys to their homes - from Fizuli, from Jabrayil, from Khojavend, from Zangilan, but that simply did not interest human-rights activists in many countries. The world, calling itself democratic and humanitarian, sat silently and did nothing, leaving bleeding Azerbaijan to fend for itself. Left alone with his ordeal, Azerbaijan asked no one for help. People worked tirelessly to rebuild the country, restore the economy, and build an army. Through arduous self-sacrifice, Azerbaijan forged its path through the trials it faced. Trials break the weak; the strong emerge even stronger.
Thus, Azerbaijan turned its pain into strength.
Azerbaijan: From pain to strength
After nearly three decades, on 27 September 2020, Azerbaijan, having exhausted diplomatic means, launched a liberating counter-operation. Following the orders of the supreme commander of the Azerbaijani armed forces and implementing the four United Nations Security Council resolutions on the liberation of its lands (Nos. 822, 853, 874, and 884, adopted in 1993, which affirm Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and demand the withdrawal of occupying Armenian forces), Azerbaijan’s armed forces liberated the territory of sovereign Azerbaijan. As a result of the hostilities, by force of arms and thanks to the heroism of Azerbaijani soldiers, the enemy was completely expelled from the country’s territory.
Sovereignty and territorial integrity were restored. Among the ranks of the armed forces during the fighting served representatives of all nationalities living in the “Land of Fire,” including Jews. And the Chief Rabbi of Azerbaijan organised a mass prayer for victory in a just war.
This was an outstanding military operation, one that radically changed the strategic balance in the region and demonstrated the exceptional professionalism and courage of Azerbaijani warriors. The outcome was an unequivocal victory.
Thus, Azerbaijan turned its strength into victory.
Military victory strengthened the country’s position in the region and in the world. It further elevated Azerbaijan’s international authority. A country situated at the crossroads of many paths and empires became a vital decision-making centre on the global stage. Turkey, Israel, Syria, and many other states turned to Baku for assistance in resolving disputes and conflicts.
People deprived of homes and the right to visit the graves of their ancestors didn’t learn from textbooks - they learned through their own pain—and from this pain arose an understanding unlike any other. After the victory, the United States and Russia, Europe, and the Muslim world came to know more deeply Azerbaijan’s resilience and the country’s fidelity to the principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
It was that victory which created the conditions for the signing in Washington on August 8, 2025, of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia shook hands. It was the first step on the path to enduring peace. People turn the page of history not by forgetting the past but by advancing toward justice, peace, and cooperation. Azerbaijan stands for peace, stability, and economic prosperity. And it proves that through deeds.
Recently, the first flight of the Azerbaijani airline AZAL landed in the Armenian capital Yerevan. It was a civil initiative: ordinary Azerbaijanis flew in to talk and meet face-to-face with the simple residents of the Armenian capital. Azerbaijan’s borders have already been opened for exports to Armenia. Without the victory five years ago, this peace - based on mutual respect and on the recognition of territorial integrity - would not have been possible.
Thus, Azerbaijan turns victory into peace.
The Jewish connection
And of course, the Jewish connection is inseparable - for the Jewish community of Azerbaijan has always been part of its story. We are everywhere. And always - beside our true friends.
This victory matters for Israel, too. It is no coincidence that after the victory, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the State of Israel opened, working intensively and very productively to deepen bilateral relations. With each passing day, mutually beneficial contacts develop, and the ties between our countries grow stronger.
At the Eurovision 2025 contest, Azerbaijan was the only country to award the Israeli singer the maximum number of points, both from the jury and the public. Twice daily AZAL flights bring tens of thousands of Israelis to this wonderful, friendly country, which for many is a discovery. Azerbaijan knows suffering - it understands when friends are in trouble and a friend needs support. And in Israel’s darkest days of war, Azerbaijan was near and remained a faithful, reliable friend of Israel. Shared destinies, the suffering that befell our peoples, world indifference, and double standards- those who criticise defenders of their home while mourning the defeat of the aggressor, bring our peoples even closer.
The victory of November 8 contributed to the restoration of international law, the establishment of peace and stability in the region.
In November 2020, celebrating the victory, people in Azerbaijan took to the streets of cities with flags of Azerbaijan and Israel.
The victory of Azerbaijan is also our victory.
Years of harsh trials, an invaluable accumulated experience, the ability to view a situation through another’s eyes, a favourable geopolitical location - all these make Azerbaijan a model of political wisdom and foresight.
Its roots lie in the justice of Dede Gorgud and the strategic thinking of Nadir-oglu Khan, in the resilience of Javad Khan and the philosophy of Shah Ismail Khatai, and also in the poetry of the fine Natavan and the wisdom of Nizami Ganjavi. And this is the most powerful weapon of the Azerbaijani people.
The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev, continuing the work of his father, Heydar Aliyev, embodies the tradition of all the previous generations of sages, warriors, and philosophers, and confidently leads the country along the path of peace and prosperity. Today, liberated Karabakh blooms.
Ruined towns rise, roads are built, and burnt vineyards are coming back to life. People move into new homes. On the slopes of the Karabakh mountains, once again blossoms the beautiful flower “khari-bulbul” - a symbol of victory and revival.
Azerbaijanis, our brothers, are a people who have transformed their trials into strength. Strength into victory. And victory into peace.
We Jews, too - with our genes, it seems, all in order - know how to defeat our enemies. So let us also learn to turn military victories over our foes into lasting peace.
And today, we congratulate our trusted ally, Azerbaijan, on its most important victory.
We congratulate our Azerbaijani brothers, a nation of warriors who fought for their honour, their spirituality, and for freedom.
And they won.
Azerbaijan’s victory reminds us all that the true wisdom of strength lies not in conquest, but in courage, mutual respect, and compassion.
Roman Gurevich is an Israeli writer, communications strategist, and Honorary Ambassador of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Born and raised in Baku, he is a descendant of Azerbaijan’s historic Jewish community. Drawing on his dual heritage, he works to strengthen understanding and dialogue between Israel, Azerbaijan, and the wider Muslim world.