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Azerbaijan marks 90th anniversary of Azerbaijani Armed Forces today

26 June 2008 09:55 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijani National Army was formed under the decision of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on June 26, 1918. Military Ministry was established on August 1 in 1918 and Khosrov bey Sultanov has been appointed the Minister. Experienced serviceman, Colonel Samad bey Mehmandarov was appointed Military Minister, Lieutenant-General Aliaga Shikhlinski Deputy Minister, Habib bey Salimov Chief of Headquarters on December 25, 1918. Armed Forces were organized in a short time and 30.000-troops were established. National Army together with Ottoman Empire Caucasus Islamic Army liberated Baku from the occupation of Armenia-Bolshevik on September 15, 1918 and the National Government of Azerbaijani moved from Ganja to Baku on September 17. High-ranking officersâ€“Huseyn khan Nakhchivanski, Ibrahim aga Usubov, Hamid Gaytabashi, Kazim Gajar, Javad khan Shikhlinski, Habib bey Salimov achieved these successes. After the occupation of Azerbaijan by Bolshevik in April, 1920, Azerbaijani Democratic Republic was fallen and National Army was cancelled. 15 out of 21 Colonels of the Army were shot by Bolshevik and majority of commanders was repressed and killed.
After restoration of state independence after 71 years, Azerbaijan established its Defense Ministry on September 5, 1991 and Lieutenant-General Valeh Barshadli was appointed the Minister. Azerbaijani Supreme Council passed a decision on establishment of Armed Forces on October 9, 1991. Establishment of Azerbaijani National Army is marked on June 26 every year under the decision of Azerbaijani President signed on May 22, 1998.