July 23 marks 21st anniv. of Akna (Aghdam) liberation July 23, 2014 - 15:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - July 23 marks the 21st anniversary of Aghdam (Akna) liberation. Liberation of Shushi in 1992 decreased but didn’t eliminate the threat to the towns of Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Azerbaijani military-political leadership viewed its air force and heavy artillery as means of intimidating the Armenian population, rather than fulfillment of fire support tasks. After the Shushi liberation, Azeri military leadership transported most artillery to Agdam province, with the enemy group posing constant danger to Martakert and Martuni defensive provinces of the NKR. All the surrounding settlements including Stepanakert were shelled from Agdam; Armenian villages of Askeran, Martakert and Martuni provinces were destroyed, with Askeran almost entirely ravaged by Azeri artillery. Hence, seizure of Agdam and suppression of firing points became a vital necessity. On July 23, Artsakh forces launched an offensive on both sides and seized the town, forcing out the Azeris. “The population didn’t want us to defend them. They all fled the town,” an Azeri officer recollected. Agdam liberation ensured Askeran civilians’ security. Moreover, the operation eliminated the threat to systematic shelling of NKR capital, as well as attacks against Askeran and neighboring provinces. In November of 2010, the NKR government ruled to rename the town of Agdam to Akna, with a status of a province. Akna, which currently has a population of 360, may in future regain the status of an independent settlement. Top stories President of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Arayik Harutyunyan has dismissed Ruben Vardanyan from the position of State Minister. Congressman Frank Pallone attended a demonstration at the Capitol against Azerbaijan’s blockade of a key road in Nagorno Karabakh. Ruben Vardanyan expressed conviction that his people will stay strong amid Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Partner news | Your first financial app: Idram Junior is already a reality The application was launched in Yerevan Park with a grand and luxurious event, which was attended by many chikdren aged16 years and younger. Four cases filed by Armenia against Azerbaijan under consideration at ECHR Four cases filed by Armenia against Azerbaijan are under consideration with the European Court of Human Rights. Armenian Foreign Minister due in Geneva on Feb 27 Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to Geneva to participate in the high-level meeting of the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council. U.S. Embassy shares message on Sumgait pogrom anniversary The United States Embassy has a short statement on the 35th anniversary of the massacres of the Armenians in the city of Sumgait. |