The Aras Valley campaign (, )
was a military operation launched by
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a part of the South Caucasus region and is bounded by ...
against the breakaway
Republic of Artsakh
Artsakh ( ), officially the Republic of Artsakh or the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh ( ), was a breakaway state in the South Caucasus whose territory was internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. Between 1991 and 2023, Artsakh cont ...
along the
Aras River
The Aras is a transboundary river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, fin ...
in the
Azerbaijan–Iran border
The Azerbaijan–Iran border (, ) is 689 km (428 mi) in length and consists of two non-contiguous sections separated by the 44-km long Armenia–Iran border.
Description Western (Nakchivan) section
The border starts in the north-west at t ...
during the
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was an armed conflict in 2020 that took place in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, surrounding occupied territories. It was a major esca ...
.
The operations started on 27 September, with Azerbaijani advancements in
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
and
Fuzuli districts, with the initial objective to seize control of
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
and
Füzuli.
On 9 October, both sides agreed to a temporary humanitarian ceasefire. After the declared ceasefire, the President of Artsakh admitted Azerbaijan had been able to achieve some success, moving the front deep into Artsakh territory;
the Armenian Prime Minister announced that Armenian forces had conducted a "partial retreat".
However, the ceasefire quickly broke down and the Azerbaijani advance continued. Within days Azerbaijan announced the capture of dozens of villages. The Azerbaijani forces, advancing more along the
Aras River
The Aras is a transboundary river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, fin ...
, captured the
Khodaafarin Bridges
Khudafarin Bridges or Khoda Afarin Bridges (, , ), are two arch bridges located at the border of Azerbaijan and Iran connecting the northern and southern banks of the Aras River.
History
Communication between the Caucasus and the historical Ir ...
and the nearby
dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aqua ...
.
On 20 October, the Azerbaijani forces took control of
Zangilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the town's historical ...
,
and on 22 October,
Ağbənd, thus taking full control over the
Azerbaijan–Iran border
The Azerbaijan–Iran border (, ) is 689 km (428 mi) in length and consists of two non-contiguous sections separated by the 44-km long Armenia–Iran border.
Description Western (Nakchivan) section
The border starts in the north-west at t ...
.
Background

The disputed region of
Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh (, ; ) is a region in Azerbaijan, covering the southeastern stretch of the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. Part of the greater region of Karabakh, it spans the area between Lower Karabakh and Syunik Province, Syunik. Its ter ...
, with its ethnic Armenian majority, was a ''
de jure
In law and government, ''de jure'' (; ; ) describes practices that are officially recognized by laws or other formal norms, regardless of whether the practice exists in reality. The phrase is often used in contrast with '' de facto'' ('from fa ...
'' part of Azerbaijan, but was ''
de facto'' held almost entirely by the self-proclaimed
Republic of Artsakh
Artsakh ( ), officially the Republic of Artsakh or the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh ( ), was a breakaway state in the South Caucasus whose territory was internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. Between 1991 and 2023, Artsakh cont ...
, which is supported by Armenia. On 20 February 1988, the Soviet of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast passed a resolution requesting transfer of the oblast from the Azerbaijan SSR to the Armenia SSR; Azerbaijan rejected the request several times. Following the revoking of Nagorno-Karabakh's autonomous status, a referendum was held on 10 December 1991 in the region; it was boycotted by the Azerbaijani population which then constituted around 22.8%: 99.8% voted in favor. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan then became fully independent of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The
First Nagorno-Karabakh War
The First Nagorno-Karabakh War was an ethnic conflict, ethnic and territorial conflict that took place from February 1988 to May 1994, in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in southwestern Azerbaijan, between the majority ethnic Armenians of Nag ...
resulted in the displacement of 750,000 Azerbaijanis overall, with roughly 600,000 of them being from Nagorno-Karabakh and the
seven surrounding districts, which were majority-Azeri, essentially cleansing all of the occupied territories from its Azerbaijani inhabitants.
Similarly, 353,000 Armenians had to flee from Azerbaijan.
The war ended with a
ceasefire in 1994, with the Republic of Artsakh controlling most of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, as well as the
surrounding districts of
Agdam
Aghdam () is a town and the nominal capital of the Aghdam District of Azerbaijan. Founded in the 18th century, it was granted city status in 1828 and grew considerably during the Soviet period. Aghdam lies from Stepanakert at the eastern foot ...
,
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
,
Fuzuli,
Kalbajar
Kalbajar ( ; ) is a city and the capital of the Kalbajar District of Azerbaijan. Located in the Tartar Valley, it is away from the country's capital city Baku.
Before the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, the city had a population of 7,246 people. I ...
,
Qubadli
Qubadli (, ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Qubadli District. It is situated along the Vorotan (Bargushad) river.
History
Qubadli was part of the Zangezur uezd of the Elizavetpol Governorate during the Russian E ...
,
Lachin
Lachin (, , ; ) is a town in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Lachin District. It was located within the strategic Lachin corridor, which used to link the Nagorno-Karabakh region with Armenia.
The town was under control of Armen ...
and
Zangilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the town's historical ...
of Azerbaijan.
For three decades, multiple violations of the ceasefire had occurred, the most serious incidents prior to the
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was an armed conflict in 2020 that took place in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, surrounding occupied territories. It was a major esca ...
being a
four-day escalation in 2016.
Long-standing international mediation attempts to create a peace process were initiated by the
OSCE Minsk Group
The OSCE Minsk Group was created in 1992 by the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), now Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict between ...
in 1994, with the interrupted
Madrid Principles
The Madrid Principles were proposed peace settlements of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group. The OSCE Minsk Group was the only internationally agreed body to mediate the negotiations for the peaceful resolution of the ...
being the most recent iteration.
While it is unclear how the present inhabitants of the area want to administer the territory, surveys indicate that they do not want to be part of Azerbaijan. In August 2019, in an unprecedented declaration in favour of unification, the Armenian Prime Minister,
Nikol Pashinyan
Nikol Vovayi Pashinyan (born 1 June 1975) is an Armenian politician who is serving as the 16th and current Prime Minister of Armenia, prime minister of Armenia since 8 May 2018. A journalist by profession, Pashinyan founded his own newspaper in ...
, visited Nagorno-Karabakh, stating, "Artsakh is Armenia, full stop".
Skirmishes occurred on the
border between Armenia and Azerbaijan in July 2020.
Thousands of Azerbaijanis demonstrated for war against Armenia in response, with Turkey propagandising in support of Azerbaijan.
The campaign
On 27 September the Azerbaijani MoD stated it had taken
Qaraxanbəyli,
Qərvənd,
Kənd Horadiz and
Yuxarı Əbdürrəhmanlı
Yuxarı Əbdürrəhmanlı () is a village in Fuzuli District of Azerbaijan. It is currently uninhabited. The village had been occupied by Armenian forces in the First Nagorno-Karabakh war
The First Nagorno-Karabakh War was an ethnic conflic ...
in
Fuzuli,
Böyük Mərcanlı and
Nüzgər in
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
.
Next day, the Armenian MoD stated that the Azerbaijani forces had launched a new major offensive operation in the
Aras Valley. The following day, the Azerbaijani MoD then stated that its offensive on
Fuzuli City continued from the early morning. On 30 September, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that Azerbaijani forces had shelled the 4th Armenian Battalion, stationed in Fuzuli District. Next day, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that Jabrayil and Fuzuli Districts were being rocketed from
Goris
Goris ( ) is a town and the centre of the Goris Municipality in the Syunik Province in southern Armenia. Located in the valley of the Goris (or Vararak) River, it is 254 kilometres from the Armenian capital Yerevan and 67 kilometres from the provi ...
, in Armenia.
On 3 October, tense clashes took place along the Aras Valley. In the evening, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, stated that the Azerbaijani forces had taken control of
Mehdili,
Çaxırlı,
Aşağı Maralyan
Aşağı Maralyan (also, Ashaga Maral’yan, Ashagy-Maral’yan, Maral’yan and Maral’yanskiy) is a village in the Jabrayil Rayon of Azerbaijan. It is currently uninhabited. In October 2022, it was occupied by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces
Th ...
,
Şəybəy and
Quycaq in Jabrayil, and
Aşağı Əbdürrəhmanlı
Aşağı Əbdürrəhmanlı (also, Ashaga-Abdurakhmanly and Ashagy Abdurakhmanly) is a village in the Fuzuli District of Azerbaijan. It is currently uninhabited.
It was controlled by the Armenian Army from 1993 (following the First Nagorno-Karabak ...
in Fuzuli.
The following day, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that Armenian forces were shelling Fuzuli District. In the evening, Azerbaijani President Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani forces had taken control of the city of
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
,
as well as
Karxulu,
Şükürbəyli,
Çərəkən
Çərəkən () is a village in Horovlu administrative-territorial unit of Jabrayil district, Azerbaijan, located on a plain, 3 km northeast of the city of Jabrayil.
Etymology
Village's name is derived from the words "chara" (Azerb. Çər� ...
,
Daşgəsən,
Horovlu
Horovlu (Gorovlu, and Khorovlu) village within the administrative-territorial unit of the same name in the Jabrayil District, Jabrayil district of Azerbaijan, located on a plain, 8 km east of the city of Jabrayil.
It was occupied by the Armed Fo ...
,
Mahmudlu,
Cəfərabad,
Yuxarı Maralyan
Yuxarı Maralyan (also, Yukhary-Maral’yan) is a village in Jabrayil Rayon, in the south-west of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked countr ...
, and Decal in Jabrayil District.
On 5 and 6 October, the Azerbaijani forces launched another offensive in the
Jabrayil District
Jabrayil District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Khojavend, Fuzuli, Qubadli, Zangilan, and t ...
. On 7 October, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that the Azerbaijani forces were in control of
Jabrayil District
Jabrayil District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Khojavend, Fuzuli, Qubadli, Zangilan, and t ...
.
It also released footage apparently showing Azerbaijani forces in
Şükürbəyli. Then, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that Armenian forces were shelling villages in
Fuzuli and
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
Districts, also that the Armenian forces were firing upon villages in Fuzuli District.
Just before 04:00 (00:00 GMT) on October 10, Russia reported that both Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire after 10 hours of talks in Moscow (the Moscow Statement) and announced that both would enter "substantive" talks.
Hostilities were formally halted at 12:00 (08:00 GMT), to allow an exchange of prisoners and the recovery of the dead, facilitated by the
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a humanitarian organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is a three-time Nobel Prize laureate. The organization has played an instrumental role in the development of rules of war and ...
(ICRC).
But violations of the ceasefire were persistent, leading to the ICRC halting attempts to recover the dead and exchange wounded and prisoners,
as well as prompting fears of a humanitarian crisis.
Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of bombarding civilian settlements prior to the ceasefire, with both sides denying the other's accusations.
Each side also accused the other of breaking the ceasefire.
Clashes broke out soon afterward, with Azerbaijan moving deeper into the conflict zone. The Azerbaijani president stated that Azerbaijani forces had retaliated for the
ballistic missile attacks on Ganja by seizing control of
Fuzuli and nearby villages but also called for immediate international intervention.
On 14 October Azerbaijan claimed control over
Qaradağlı,
Xatınbulaq, and
Qarakollu in Fuzuli District.
The next day, the Azerbaijan MOD stated its forces had seized control of
Arış
Arış is a village in the Fuzuli District of Azerbaijan.
History
The village was captured by Armenian forces during the First Nagorno-Karabakh war and all of its original Azerbaijani inhabitants were driven out. It was administrated as part o ...
in
Fuzuli District
Fuzuli District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the Karabakh Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Khojavend, Aghjabadi, Beylagan, Jabrayil, and the ...
.
Two days later, the Azerbaijani MOD claimed to have downed an Armenian
SU-25
The Sukhoi Su-25 ''Grach'' ( ('' rook''); NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) is a subsonic, single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Sukhoi. It was designed to provide close air support for Soviet Ground Forces. The ...
, and to have retaken
Füzuli and several villages.
Armenia denied losing a warplane. On 18 October, the Azerbaijani MoD claimed to have downed an Armenian
Su-25 warplane, which it stated had been attacking towards
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
; Armenia issued a denial. At approximately 19:00, Azerbaijani forces released a footage from Fuzuli. The Azerbaijani president stated that the Azerbaijani forces had captured the
Khodaafarin Bridges
Khudafarin Bridges or Khoda Afarin Bridges (, , ), are two arch bridges located at the border of Azerbaijan and Iran connecting the northern and southern banks of the Aras River.
History
Communication between the Caucasus and the historical Ir ...
and
Dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aqua ...
.

On 20 October, clashes intensified near
Zəngilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (river), Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the to ...
, involving Azerbaijani offensives. The Azerbaijani President stated that Azerbaijani forces had claimed
Zəngilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (river), Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the to ...
, the administrative center of
Zangilan District
Zangilan District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Qubadli, Jabrayil, the Syunik Province of Arme ...
,
and
Havalı,
Zərnəli,
Məmmədbəyli
Mammadbeyli () is a village in the Zangilan District of Azerbaijan. The village is situated on the bank of Hakari river.
Toponym
The village was originally called Terekeme. In the 19th century it belonged to Mammadbay Zangilani, and therefore ...
,
Həkəri,
Şarifan, and
Muğanlı in Zangilan District. Soon after, the Azerbaijani MoD formally released footage showing Zəngilan, and "''
BBC Russian Service
BBC News Russian () – formerly BBC Russian Service () – is part of the BBC World Service's foreign language output, one of nearly 40 languages it provides.
History
The BBC's first Russian-language broadcast was a translation of a speech ...
''" confirmed Azerbaijan's statements.
In turn, the Armenian MoD stated that Azerbaijani forces were retreating along the
Aras River
The Aras is a transboundary river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, fin ...
; Azerbaijan issued a denial. The next day, clashes further intensified, specifically in
Zangilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the town's historical ...
. The President of Azerbaijan,
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar Oghlu Aliyev (born 24 December 1961) is an Azerbaijani politician who has been the fourth president of Azerbaijan since 2003. He is also the leader of the New Azerbaijan Party since 2005.
The son and second child of former Aze ...
stated that the Azerbaijani forces had seized control of
Mincivan town and villages of
Gecəgözlü
Gecəgözlü (also Gedzhagëzlyu and Gedzhagozlu) is a village in Fuzuli District of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boun ...
,
Aşağı Seyidəhmədli, and
Zərgər in
Fuzuli, Bələnd,
Papı
Papı (also, Papy) is a village in the Jabrayil Rayon of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Easter ...
,
Tulus,
Hacılı, and
Tinli in
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
, and
Xurama,
Xumarlı,
Sarıl,
Babaylı,
Üçüncü Ağalı
Üçüncü Ağalı () is a village in the Zangilan District of Azerbaijan.
History
The village was located in the Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, coming under the control of ethnic Armenian forces during the First Nag ...
,
Hacallı,
Qıraq Müşlan,
Üdgün,
Turabad,
İçəri Müşlan,
Məlikli,
Cahangirbəyli, and
Baharlı in Zangilan districts.
On 22 October, clashes continued in
Zəngilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (river), Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the to ...
. At approximately 17:30, the
President of Azerbaijan
The president of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state of the Azerbaijan, Republic of Azerbaijan. The Constitution of Azerbaijan, Constitution states that the president is the embodiment of Executive (government), executive power, co ...
stated that the Azerbaijani forces had seized control of
Mollavəli
Mollavəli (also, Mollaveli) is a village in Fuzuli District, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and E ...
,
Yuxarı Rəfədinli
Yuxarı Rəfədinli () is a village in Fuzuli District, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary of West Asia and Eastern ...
, and
Aşağı Rəfədinli in
Fuzuli, and
Sirik,
Şıxlar,
Məstalıbəyli, and
Dərzili in
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
districts. In addition, he stated that Azerbaijani forces had claimed
Kolluqışlaq,
Malatkeşin
Malatkeşin () is a village located in the administrative-territorial district of the city of Zangilan, Zangilan district of Azerbaijan. The village is situated on the bank of Okhchuchay River.
History
According to the “Code of statistical d ...
,
Kənd Zəngilan,
Genlik
Genlik ()is a village located in the administrative-territorial district of the city of Zangilan in the Zangilan district of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontin ...
,
Vəliqulubəyli,
Qaradərə
Qaradərə (also, Karadera and Karadere) is a village in the Zangilan Rayon of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a Boundaries between the continents, transcontinental and landlocked country at the boundary o ...
,
Çöpədərə,
Tatar
Tatar may refer to:
Peoples
* Tatars, an umbrella term for different Turkic ethnic groups bearing the name "Tatar"
* Volga Tatars, a people from the Volga-Ural region of western Russia
* Crimean Tatars, a people from the Crimea peninsula by the B ...
,
Tiri,
Əmirxanlı,
Qarqulu,
Bartaz,
Dəlləkli, and
Ağbənd in
Zangilan District
Zangilan District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Qubadli, Jabrayil, the Syunik Province of Arme ...
, releasing confirmary footage.
According to Aliyev, with this, Azerbaijani forces had secured control over the
Azerbaijan–Iran border
The Azerbaijan–Iran border (, ) is 689 km (428 mi) in length and consists of two non-contiguous sections separated by the 44-km long Armenia–Iran border.
Description Western (Nakchivan) section
The border starts in the north-west at t ...
. Armenia issued a denial and stated that heavy clashes took place near
Qacar in
Fuzuli. The following day, clashes continued in
Zəngilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (river), Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the to ...
. In the evening, the Azerbaijani president stated that Azerbaijani forces had claimed
Dağ Tumas,
Nüsüs,
Xələfli,
Minbaşılı, and Veysəlli in
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
,
Vənədli and
Mirzəhəsənli in
Zangilan District
Zangilan District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Qubadli, Jabrayil, the Syunik Province of Arme ...
. The Azerbaijani MoD also released confirmary footage from one the villages claimed. The next day, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that the Armenian forces attempted to attack the Azerbaijani positions in
Zangilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the town's historical ...
from
Syunik Province
Syunik (, ) is the southernmost province of Armenia. It is bordered by the Vayots Dzor Province to the north, Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic exclave to the west, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south. Its capital and larg ...
of Armenia. On 25 October, the Azerbaijani MoD released footage from
Zangilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the town's historical ...
and
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
districts, in the very southwest of the theater of operations, near the
Aras River
The Aras is a transboundary river in the Caucasus. It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia, between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, fin ...
and the
Iranian border. The following day, the
President of Azerbaijan
The president of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state of the Azerbaijan, Republic of Azerbaijan. The Constitution of Azerbaijan, Constitution states that the president is the embodiment of Executive (government), executive power, co ...
,
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar Oghlu Aliyev (born 24 December 1961) is an Azerbaijani politician who has been the fourth president of Azerbaijan since 2003. He is also the leader of the New Azerbaijan Party since 2005.
The son and second child of former Aze ...
, stated that the Azerbaijani forces had seized control of
Qovşudlu,
Sofulu,
Dağ Maşanlı,
Kürdlər,
Hovuslu, and
Çələbilər in
Jabrayil District
Jabrayil District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Khojavend, Fuzuli, Qubadli, Zangilan, and t ...
,
Birinci Alıbəyli,
İkinci Alıbəyli,
Rəbənd, and
Yenikənd in
Zangilan District
Zangilan District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Qubadli, Jabrayil, the Syunik Province of Arme ...
, along the
Hakari Valley. The Armenian authorities confirmed that the Azerbaijani forces had launched an offensive in the region.

On 28 October,
President of Azerbaijan
The president of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the head of state of the Azerbaijan, Republic of Azerbaijan. The Constitution of Azerbaijan, Constitution states that the president is the embodiment of Executive (government), executive power, co ...
,
Ilham Aliyev
Ilham Heydar Oghlu Aliyev (born 24 December 1961) is an Azerbaijani politician who has been the fourth president of Azerbaijan since 2003. He is also the leader of the New Azerbaijan Party since 2005.
The son and second child of former Aze ...
, stated that the Azerbaijani forces had seized control of
Birinci Ağalı,
İkinci Ağalı,
Üçüncü Ağalı
Üçüncü Ağalı () is a village in the Zangilan District of Azerbaijan.
History
The village was located in the Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, coming under the control of ethnic Armenian forces during the First Nag ...
,
Zərnəli in
Zangilan
Zangilan (, ; ) is a city in Azerbaijan and the administrative centre of the Zangilan District. It is situated along the Voghji (Okhchuchay) river.
Etymology
According to the Armenian historian Hovhannes Gharagyozian, the town's historical ...
,
Mandılı in
Fuzuli,
Qazanzəmi,
Xanağabulaq,
Çüllü,
Quşçular, and
Qaraağac in
Jabrayil
Jabrayil (, ) is a ghost city in Azerbaijan, nominally the administrative capital of Azerbaijan's Jabrayil District.
A town with Azerbaijani majority and Armenians, Armenian plurality at various times during the Russian Empire, Russian imperial ...
. On 2 November, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani forces had seized control of
Çaprand,
Hacı İsaqlı, and
Qoşabulaq in
Jabrayil District
Jabrayil District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Khojavend, Fuzuli, Qubadli, Zangilan, and t ...
, as well as
Dərə Gilətağ, and
Böyük Gilətağ in
Zangilan District
Zangilan District () is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the south-west of the country and belongs to the East Zangezur Economic Region. The district borders the districts of Qubadli, Jabrayil, the Syunik Province of Arme ...
. Next day, the Azerbaijani MoD stated that
Füzuli was being rocketed with
BM-30 Smerch
The BM-30 ''Smerch'' (, 'whirlwind'), 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a heavy Self-propelled artillery, self-propelled 300 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union to fire a full load of 12 solid-fuelled projectiles. The ...
es from the territory of Armenia; Armenia issued a denial.
Casualties
Military casualties
As of 20 October, the Azerbaijani authorities claimed that at least 40 Armenian servicemen were killed. Azerbaijan doesn't disclose its own military casualties.
Equipment losses
As of 20 October, the Azerbaijani authorities have stated that the Azerbaijani forces have destroyed at least 7 tanks, 6 other vehicles, 4
BM-21 Grad
The BM-21 "Grad" () is a self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system and the M-21OF rocket were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first combat use in March 1969 during the Sino-S ...
systems, 1 D-30 howitzers, 3
Tor-M2 km missile systems, downed 2
UAVs
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aircraft system (UAS), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft with no human pilot, crew, or passengers onboard, but rather is controlled remotely or is autonomous.De Gruyter Handbook of Drone ...
and 1
Su-25
The Sukhoi Su-25 ''Grach'' ( ('' rook''); NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) is a subsonic, single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Sukhoi. It was designed to provide close air support for Soviet Ground Forces. The ...
, and captured many tanks and IFVs.
Civilian casualties
As of 20 October, the Azerbaijani authorities have reported that 1 Azerbaijani civilian was killed and 6 more were injured in Fuzuli.
Notes
References
{{Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Battles of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
2020 military operations
Battles involving Armenia
Battles involving Azerbaijan
Operations involving Azerbaijani special forces
September 2020 in Asia
September 2020 in Europe
October 2020 in Asia
October 2020 in Europe