The Azerbaijani people who restored their independence in the late 20th century have ancient statehood history.

The historical Azerbaijani lands are some of the most ancient cultural sites of modern civilization. Archaeological finds discovered in Azykh, Taghlar, Damjili, Dashsalahli, Gazma caves and in other historical sites, including the lower jaw of the Azyk man – Azykhantrop, who lived 300-400,000 years ago, also prove Azerbaijan to be one of the sites of the formation of ancient human beings.

At the same time the people of Azerbaijan have the most ancient traditions of statehood. These traditions date back 5,000 years. The first state establishments or ethnic-political units appeared in the Azerbaijani territory in the late 4th–early 3rd millenniums BC.

In the late 1st millennium BC–early 1st millennium AD, there were strongly organized states like Manna, Media, Atropatena and Albania in the Azerbaijani territories.

The state of Manna occupies a significant place not only in the history of the statehood culture of Azerbaijan but also in that of the world. Manna was closely involved in all military and political events in the entire region and fought against its powerful neighbouring states of Ashshur and Urartu, who were trying to invade Azerbaijan.

Cimmerians and Scythians as well as Sakas and Massageteans, who were of the same origin as the Scythians, started to play an important role in the military and political life of Azerbaijan in the late 8th–early 7th century BC.

Neither the long-term occupation by the Ahameni-Iranian empire nor the invasions by Macedonian Alexander managed to destroy the statehood culture in ancient Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani statehood was restored immediately after the death of Alexander the Great. The state of Atropatena appeared in the south of our country, while Albania emerged in the north.

In the early years AD our country experienced one of the hardest periods of its history: it was occupied by the Sasanian-Iranian Empire in the 3rd century and by the Arab Caliphate in the 7th century. They resettled a great number of Persian-speaking populations and people of Arab origin in the Azerbaijani territories. Newcomers settled in the most fertile lands and in regions of military and strategic importance. They were granted considerable privileges. But this did not destroy the ancient statehood traditions in Azerbaijan, and the process of forming the Azerbaijani nation continued. Over a long period, as all regions of Azerbaijan were parts of these empires, internal relations—especially commercial ones—developed significantly, paving the way for the ethnic-political and cultural unification of the northern and southern, eastern and western regions of Azerbaijan.

After the fall of the Caliphate, Azerbaijan restored its ancient statehood traditions starting from the mid-9th century: Sajid, Shirvanshah, Sallarid, Rawadid and Shaddadid states were established in Azerbaijan. That period marked a revival in political, economic, cultural, and all other areas of life. The emergence of local states after 600 years of Sasanian and Arab rule, and the spread of Islam across the country, played a crucial role in Azerbaijan’s development. However, the states which were created after the fall of the Caliphate failed to become a single, sustainable, powerful state that could control the entire territory of the country and ensure political stability. Azerbaijan was eventually absorbed into the Seljuq Empire, which stretched from Central Asia to the Mediterranean shores and from the Derbent gateway to the Persian Gulf.

Shirvanshahs and Ildenizids, who rose to power after the fall of the Seljuq Empire, played a crucial role in maintaining and developing the Azerbaijani people’s statehood traditions. The state of the Ildenizids, which grew into the most powerful state in the Near and Middle East, occupies a significant place in the Azerbaijani people’s ethnic and political history.

Azerbaijan’s statehood culture was further enriched in the 15th–18th centuries when the states of Kara Koyunlu, Ag Koyunlu and Safavid, which controlled large parts of the East, were led by Azerbaijani tribes. This important factor positively influenced the state’s internal and foreign relations and contributed to the expansion of the sphere of influence of the Azerbaijani language and the development of the people’s material and moral culture.

In the late 15th–early 16th century, Azerbaijani statehood entered a new stage of its development when the grandson of Uzun Hasan, the outstanding statesman Shah Ismail, managed to unite all Azerbaijani territories within a single state. With its capital in Tabriz, it was the Azerbaijani state of Safavid. The Safavid rule saw the further development of the Azerbaijani statehood culture. The activities and successful internal and foreign policies of Shah Ismail, Shah Tahmasib, Shah Abbas and other rulers turned the Safavid state into one of the most powerful empires in the Near and Middle East.

Outstanding Azerbaijani ruler Nadir Shah, who came to power after the fall of the Safavid state, expanded the territory of the former empire. In 1739, he invaded Northern India, including Delhi. However, his plans to create a powerful, centralized state on this large territory failed, and after his death, his empire collapsed.

In the second half of the 18th century, Azerbaijan was divided into small states—khanates and sultanates. Although individual khans, striving to preserve the ancient traditions of Azerbaijani statehood, attempted to unite the entire country within a single state, these efforts did not succeed. Political fragmentation deepened, and as a result, foreign aggressors found a very favorable opportunity to occupy Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan became a theatre of bloody wars between two great powers. Under the Gulustan (1813) and Turkmenchay (1828) treaties, the territory of Azerbaijan was divided between two empires: the north was annexed by Russia, while the south was incorporated into Iran, then ruled by the Qajar dynasty.

Yet, true Azerbaijani patriots and outstanding members of the intelligentsia did their utmost to ensure the moral development of the Azerbaijani people and to preserve their legacy, traditions, and national culture.

The Azerbaijani enlightenment movement constituted one of the most important periods in our history. This period played an invaluable role in the cultural and political revival of the Azerbaijani people.

The First Republic: Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918–1920)

On May 28, 1918, the first democratic parliamentary republic in the Muslim East—the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic—was proclaimed. The newly established Azerbaijan Democratic Republic undertook its historic mission with utmost dedication. It made significant strides in building an independent, democratic state by establishing the first parliament and government, creating state apparatus and governing institutions, defining the country’s borders, and establishing highly capable military units to ensure territorial integrity and national security. The republic adopted the national flag, anthem, and emblem; declared the mother tongue as the state language; focused on the development of education and culture; and took numerous other purposeful steps to ensure the comprehensive progress of the nation and its future statehood.

Guided by the principles of people power and equality from its inception, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic eliminated racial, ethnic, religious, and class inequalities by granting all citizens equal rights. For the first time in the Muslim East—and long before some European countries—women in Azerbaijan were granted the right to vote.

Unfortunately, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic had to make one of its first decisions under extremely complex conditions. Amidst Armenian military units conducting ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis and advancing territorial claims, a compromise reached during the Batumi negotiations resulted in the decision to concede Irevan to Armenia as its capital. This grave historic mistake paved the way for subsequent tragedies in the life of the Azerbaijani people and encouraged further Armenian expansion.

On December 7, 1918, a solemn opening ceremony of the Azerbaijani parliament was held at H. Z. Taghiyev’s school for girls (the present-day Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli). This was the first legislative body in the Muslim East formed on the basis of the most progressive and democratic principles of its time. The laws adopted during the parliament’s year-and-a-half of activity contributed to the strengthening of national independence and to rapid political, economic, cultural, and educational development.

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic pursued a peaceful policy, striving to establish mutually beneficial cooperation with all states and to build relationships based on mutual respect for each other’s rights. Thanks to its efforts, Azerbaijan became a subject of international law—a status that prevented the country’s disappearance from the world’s political map as a state after the Bolshevik occupation in April 1920.

The Second Republic: Azerbaijan during the Soviet Era (1920–1991)

On April 28, 1920, Azerbaijan was occupied by Bolshevik Russia. During the Soviet era, Azerbaijan’s statehood faced serious challenges. In 1920–1922, Azerbaijan formally maintained its independence, which was de facto recognized by the international community. In March 1922, the three republics of the South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia) were united under the single state of the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (TSFSR), completely ending formal independence.

During the Soviet period, the territories of Zangazur, Goycha (Goychay), part of Nakhchivan, and other regions were seized from Azerbaijan and annexed to Armenia. The area of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was reduced from 114,000 square kilometers to 86,600 square kilometers. In addition, on July 7, 1923, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) was established at the initiative of the Bolshevik leaders, marking the first step towards separating Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s resistance to Soviet authorities was met with heavy-handed reprisals, including mass exiles and repressions. During the 1937 repressions, the majority of Azerbaijani intelligentsia who opposed Soviet rule were arrested on various charges, exiled to the remote areas of Siberia and Kazakhstan, or executed.

The Azerbaijani people demonstrated great heroism during the Second World War, with Azerbaijani divisions fighting from the Caucasus to Berlin. Baku oil played a decisive role in achieving victory over fascism.

Heydar Aliyev’s rise to power on July 14, 1969, marked a historic turning point, enabling the country to address many critical challenges. Large-scale measures in the early 1970s and early 1980s—such as the establishment of numerous industrial enterprises and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities—transformed the republic from an agrarian state into an industrial one.

Thus, despite all the restrictions, the immense potential built up during the Soviet period—especially between 1969 and 1982—proved crucial to Azerbaijan when it regained its independence at the end of the 20th century.

The Third Republic: The Republic of Azerbaijan

On October 18, 1991, when Azerbaijan gained its independence, it declared itself the political and legal successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and reaffirmed its commitment to the ancient traditions of statehood. Shortly thereafter, the state symbols of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic were restored.

The first years of independence were extremely challenging for the Republic of Azerbaijan. The country was significantly weakened by expanding Armenian aggression, internal power struggles, and an economic collapse. Armenia, which had long been voicing its territorial claims to Azerbaijan, shifted to launching military operations without declaring war. During the military campaign, the Armenian armed forces brutally killed Azerbaijanis in the occupied districts and cities, making no distinction between military personnel and civilians. Azerbaijanis were subjected to ethnic cleansing and acts of genocide, with the Armenian forces deliberately targeting the civilian population in violation of international humanitarian law. A ceasefire agreement was reached on May 12, 1994. Up to that moment, as a result of Armenian military aggression, 20 percent of the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan—including the districts of Khankendi, Khojaly, Shusha, Lachin, Khojavand, Kalbadjar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan, as well as 13 villages in the Tartar district, seven villages in the Gazakh district, and one village in the Sadarak district of Nakhchivan—had been occupied by Armenian forces. More than 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees or internally displaced, 20,000 were killed, and 50,000 were disabled. Nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis went missing, including 67 children, 265 women, and 326 elderly people, with no further information about their fate. Over two thousand Azerbaijanis were taken captive. In total, during 1988–1993, approximately 900 settlements, 150,000 houses, 7,000 public buildings, 693 schools, 855 kindergartens, 695 medical institutions, 927 libraries, 44 temples, nine mosques, 473 historical sites (including palaces and museums), 40,000 museum exhibits, 6,000 industrial and agricultural enterprises, 160 bridges, and other infrastructure facilities in Karabakh were destroyed.

However, the return to power of national leader Heydar Aliyev in 1993 marked a turning point. On June 15, 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan—a day that became known as National Salvation Day. On June 23, the Milli Majlis transferred presidential powers to him.

The people united more closely around their leader. On October 3, 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Building an independent state, ensuring its security and territorial integrity, restoring the economy, achieving democratic development, establishing international relations, and integrating Azerbaijan into the world community became the key priorities of Heydar Aliyev’s national development strategy.

It was Heydar Aliyev’s mission that preserved the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan. His presidency from 1993 to 2003 is remembered as a period of fundamental reforms in Azerbaijan’s history.

Since 2003, the political line set by national leader Heydar Aliyev has been successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. During this stage, a significant portion of the revenues from energy exports has been directed towards diversifying the economy, developing the non-oil sector, and modernizing all areas of social life.

Today, huge energy projects are being implemented in Azerbaijan. Oil and gas projects are being successfully carried out in the part of the Caspian Sea that belongs to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has become the first state to harness the enormous energy potential of the Caspian Sea, form a new economic model for regional development, play an important role in expanding political and trade relations between Europe and Asia, and contribute to the development of the Caucasian transport corridor and the implementation of large-scale projects in the Caspian and Caucasus regions.

As a result of the successful counter-attack operation launched by the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh on September 27, 2020, 5 cities, 4 settlements, and 286 villages were liberated from occupation by November 9, 2020. So far, Jabrayil city and 90 villages in its district; Fuzuli city and 53 villages in its district; Zangilan city, along with the Minjivan, Aghband, Bartaz settlements and 52 villages in its district; Hadrut settlement and 35 villages in the Khojavand district; 3 villages in the Tartar district; Gubadli city and 41 villages in its district; 9 villages in the Khojaly district; Shusha city; 3 villages in the Lachin district; as well as several strategic heights in the Aghdara and Murovdag directions, plus Bartaz, Sighirt, Shukurataz heights and 5 more nameless heights in Zangilan, have been liberated.

On November 10, 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, and the President of Russia signed a statement on the complete cessation of fire and all military operations in the conflict zone. According to the statement, the Kalbajar, Aghdam, and Lachin regions were to be returned to Azerbaijan by December 1, 2020.

• In compliance with the statement, on November 20, the Aghdam region was handed over to Azerbaijan, liberating 73 percent of its occupied territory including Aghdam city.
• According to the trilateral statement, on November 25, the Kalbajar region was handed over to Azerbaijan, with 147 settlements including Kalbajar city being liberated from occupation.
• On December 1, the Lachin region was handed over to Azerbaijan, thus completing the peaceful return process of the Aghdam, Kalbajar, and Lachin regions as per the trilateral statement.

List of our cities, towns and villages liberated from enemy occupation:

September 27, 2020

• Garakhanbeyli, Garvand, Kand Horadiz, Yukhari Abdurrahmanli villages of Fuzuli region
• Boyuk Marjanli, Nuzgar villages of Jabrayil region
• Heights in the directions of Aghdara and Murovdagh

October 3, 2020

• Sugovushan and Talish villages of Tartar region
• Mehdili, Chakhirli, Ashagi Maralyan, Sheybey, Guijaq villages of Jabrayil region
• Ashagi Abdurrahmanli village of Fuzuli region

October 4, 2020

• Jabrayil city and the villages of Karkhulu, Shukurbeyli, Yukhari Maralyan, Charaken, Dashkesan, Horovlu, Decal, Mahmudlu, and Jafarabad in the region

October 5, 2020

• Shikhali Agali, Sarijali, Mazra villages of Jabrayil region

October 9, 2020

• Hadrut settlement and Sur village of Khojavand region
• Garajally, Suleymanly, Efendiler, and Qishlag villages of Jabrayil region
• Yukhari Guzlak and Gorazilli villages of Fuzuli region
• Chayli village of Tartar region

October 14, 2020

• Garadaghly, Khatunbulag, and Garakollu villages of Fuzuli region
• Bulutan, Malikjanly, Kamartuk, Teke, and Taghaser villages of Khojavand region

October 15, 2020

• Edisha, Dudukchu, Edilli, and Chiraguz villages of Khojavand region
• Arish village of Fuzuli region
• Doshulu village of Jabrayil region

October 16, 2020

• Khirmanjig, Agbulag, and Akhullu villages of Khojavand region

October 17, 2020

• Gochahmadli, Chiman, Juvarli, Pirahmadli, Musabeyli, Ishiqli, and Dadali villages of Fuzuli region and Fuzuli city

October 18, 2020

• Azerbaijani flag raised over Khudaferin bridge

October 19, 2020

• Soltanli, Amirvarli, Mashanli, Hasanli, Alikeykhanli, Gumlag, Hajili, Goyarchinveysalli, Niyazgullar, Kechal Mammadli, Shahvelli, Haji Ismayilli, and Isagli villages of Jabrayil region

October 20, 2020

• Havali, Zarnali, Mammadbayli, Hakari, Sharifan, and Mughanli villages of Zangilan region and Zangilan city
• Dordchinar, Kurdler, Yukhari Abdurrahmanli, Garghabazar, Ashagi Veysalli, and Yukhari Aybasanli villages of Fuzuli district
• Safarsha, Hasangaydi, Fuganli, Imambagi, Dash Veysalli, Aghtepe, and Yarahmadli villages of Jabrayil district
• Agjakand, Mulkudara, Dashbashi, Gunashli (Norashen), and Chinarli (Veng) villages of Khojavand district

October 21, 2020

• Minjivan settlement; Khurama, Khumarli, Saril, Babayli, Third Aghaly, Hajalli, Girakh Mushlan, Udgun, Turabad, Icheri Mushlan, Malikli, Jahangirbeyli, and Baharli villages of Zangilan district
• Balyand, Papi, Tulus, Hajili, and Tinli villages of Jabrayil district
• Gecekgozlu, Ashagi Seyidahmadli, and Zargar villages

October 22, 2020

• Kolluqishlag, Malatkeshin, Kand Zangilan, Genlik, Veligulubeyli, Garadere, Chopadere, Tatar, Tiri, Amirkhanli, Gargulu, Bartaz, and Dallakli villages of Zangilan district, and Agband settlement
• Sirik, Shikhlar, Mastalibeyli, and Darzili villages of Jabrayil district
• Mollaveli, Yukhari Rafedinli, and Ashagi Rafedinli villages of Fuzuli district

October 23, 2020

• Dolanlar and Bunyadli villages of Khojavand district
• Dag Tumas, Nusus, Khalafli, Minbashili, and Veyselli villages of Jabrayil district
• Vanadli and Mirzahasanli villages of Zangilan district
• Zilanli, Kurd Mahryzli, Mughanli, and Alagurshak villages of Gubadli district

October 25–26, 2020

• Birinci Alibeyli, İkinci Alibeyli, Raband, and Yenikand villages of Zangilan district
• Govshudlu, Sofulu, Dag Mashanli, Kurdlar, Hovuslu, and Chelabiler villages of Jabrayil district
• Padar, Efendiler, Yusifbeyli, Chaytumas, Khanlig, Saryatag, and Mollaburhan villages of Gubadli district and Gubadli city

October 28, 2020

• Birinci Aghali, İkinci Aghali, Üchunci Aghali, and Zarnali villages of Zangilan district
• Mandili village of Fuzuli district
• Gazanzami, Khanagabulag, Chullu, Gushchular, and Garaagaj villages of Jabrayil district
• Giyasli, Abilja, and Qilijan villages of Gubadli district

October 30, 2020

• Khudaverdili, Gurbantepe, Shahveladli, and Khubyarli villages
• Aladin and Vejnali villages of Zangilan district
• Kavdadig, Mamar, and Mollali villages of Gubadli district

November 2, 2020

• Chaprand, Haji Isagli, and Goshabulag villages of Jabrayil district
• Dere Giletagh and Boyuk Giletagh villages of Zangilan district
• Ishigli, Muradkhanli, and Milanli villages of Gubadli district

November 4, 2020

• Mirak and Kavdar villages of Jabrayil district
• Mashadiismayilli and Shafibeyli villages of Zangilan district
• Basharat, Garakishiler, and Garajallı villages of Gubadli district

November 7, 2020

• Yukhari Veyselli, Yukhari Seyidahmadli, Gorgan, Utsukhin Mahmudlu, Gajar, and Divanalılar villages of Fuzuli district
• Yukhari Mazra and Yanarhaj villages of Jabrayil district
• Gazyan, Balasoltanli, and Mardanli villages of Gubadli district
• Beshdali village of Zangilan district
• Khojaly Garabulag and Moshkhmaat villages of the region
• Ataqut and Tsakuri villages of the Khojavand region

November 8, 2020

• SHUSHA city

November 9, 2020

• Gobu Dilagharda, Yal Pirahmadli, Yukhari Yaglivand, Dilagharda, Seyid Mahmudlu, Alasgarli, Ashaghi Guzdek, Govshatli, Mirzajamalli, Shekerjik, Mardinli, Shikhli, Garamammadli, Dovletyarli, Hajili, Huseynbeyli, and Sarajig villages of Fuzuli region
• Demirchiler, Chanagchi, Madatkend, Syghnag, Shushakend, Mukhtar, and Dashalti villages of the Khojavand region
• Susanlig, Domi, Tugh, Akaku, Azikh, Mets Taglar, Salaketin, Zogalbulag, Aragul, Taghavard, Boyuk Taghavard, Zardanashen, and Sheher villages
• Huseynalilar, Soyudlu, Ashagi Sirik, Galajig, Mollahesanli, Askerkhanli, Yukhari Nusus, Ashig Malikli, Niftalilar, Garar, and Chelabilar villages of Jabrayil district
• Yukhari Mollu, Ashagi Mollu, Khojik, Garamanli, Khandak, Hamzali, Mahrizli, Hal, Balligaya, Ulashli, Tinli, Khojahan, Boyunekar, Garagoyunlu, and Cherali villages of Gubadli district
• Kechikli, Ordakli, Sobu, Garagoz, and Isganderbayli villages of Zangilan district; Bartaz settlement
• Gulaburd, Safian, and Turkler villages of Lachin district

November 10, 2020

• A complete ceasefire and suspension of all military operations in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone have been declared in accordance with the statement of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and the President of the Russian Federation. According to the statement, the Kalbajar region will be returned to Azerbaijan by November 15, 2020, the Aghdam region by November 20, and the Lachin region by December 1.

November 20, 2020

• In accordance with the trilateral statement signed on November 10, the Aghdam region was handed over to Azerbaijan. Thus, 73 percent of its occupied territory was liberated. It should be noted that Aghdam is the largest region in terms of population among our occupied regions, with 138 settlements in total.

November 25, 2020

• According to the trilateral statement, the Kalbajar district was also handed over to Azerbaijan. Kalbajar is one of the largest districts of our Republic in terms of territory. As of January 1, 2020, its population was more than 77,000 people, and before the occupation, there were 147 settlements in the district.

December 1

• In accordance with the trilateral statement, Armenian armed forces withdrew from the Lachin district, and the district was handed over to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. It should be noted that the Lachin district, which covers 1,800 square kilometers, comprises 127 settlements, including one city, one settlement, and 125 villages.

On September 19, 2023, in the morning hours, an armed clash began in Karabakh between the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and Armenian armed groups. The conflict took place in areas where the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were stationed based on the statement of November 10, 2020, issued by the Russian peacekeeping contingent. A few hours before the armed clashes, which were named "Anti-Terror Operation" by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, mine explosions occurred in the Khojavend district, resulting in the death of 9 people, including police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Military operations lasting 23 hours were ceased on September 20 at 1:00 PM, based on an agreement. According to the agreement, the Armenian armed forces stationed in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, illegal Armenian armed groups were to lay down their weapons, withdraw from combat positions and military posts, and the Armenian armed forces were to leave Azerbaijani territories. The illegal Armenian armed groups were to be disbanded, and all arms and ammunition handed over in parallel. All these processes were to be carried out in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

During the military operations, more than 400 people lost their lives in the region. Officially, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces reported losing 192 servicemen, with 511 wounded. Although the exact number of deaths among Armenian armed groups was not disclosed, the "ombudsman" of the unrecognized regime stated that more than 200 soldiers had been killed. Civilians also lost their lives on the Azerbaijani side during the military operations, with 1 dead and 2 injured.