Thousands of Azerbaijani people march to mark anniversary of Karabakh victory

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - NOVEMBER 8: As Azerbaijan marks the first anniversary of the liberation of Karabakh on Monday (Nov.8), thousands of people paid homage to their compatriots killed during last year’s conflict. Azerbaijanis gathered in Azneft Square in the country's capital Baku and marched towards the Museum of Military Booty. During the celebration of the country's first anniversary of "Victory Day" military school students carried 440 meter long Azerbaijani flag to refer to the Karabakh region's liberation from Armenian occupation after 44 days of “Patriotic War” - Liberation of Karabakh Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions. New clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, with the Armenian army attacking civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements. During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and 300 settlements and villages that were occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years. Prior to that, about 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory was under illegal occupation. The fighting ended with a Russian-brokered agreement on Nov. 10, 2020, with the cease-fire seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia. Two months later, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. It also included the establishment of a trilateral working group on Karabakh. (Footage by Resul Rehimov /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)