Azerbaijan's Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, has extended his congratulations to the personnel of the Azerbaijan Army on the occasion of June 26 – Armed Forces Day.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the congratulatory message highlights the historical continuity of national army building, tracing its roots back to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first democratic republic in the Muslim East. The message emphasizes that the Separate Azerbaijan Corps, established on June 26, 1918, formed the legal foundation for the Republic's army. Following a historic decree signed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev on May 22, 1998, June 26 has been celebrated annually as Armed Forces Day in Azerbaijan.
In his address, Minister Hasanov noted that President Ilham Aliyev, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has consistently prioritized defense matters as a core component of the state's reform agenda. The message underscores the significance of the victory in the Patriotic War and subsequent anti-terror measures, which restored Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the ongoing contributions of the military to the "Great Return" program, noting that personnel stationed in liberated territories are actively supporting large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts.
The Minister also paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. He emphasized that the state, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, remains committed to supporting the families of martyrs, veterans, and those who lost their health in defense of the nation. The message concluded with well-wishes for the personnel's continued service and dedication to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
