Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issues statement on 108th anniversary of Baku’s liberation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has published a statement marking the 108th anniversary of the liberation of Baku from Armenian-Dashnak forces by the Caucasian Islamic Army, with the participation of the Azerbaijani Corps.
Tunzale Melikova2 min read
On September 15, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan published a statement on the X social network marking the 108th anniversary of the liberation of Baku from Armenian-Dashnak forces. The ministry noted that the liberation of the capital by the Caucasian Islamic Army, which included the Azerbaijani Corps, became an important turning point in the history of the struggle for the country's statehood.
The MFA emphasised that this victory demonstrated the Azerbaijani people's striving for independence, as well as their courage, dedication, and unity with their allies.
"With deep respect and gratitude, we honour the bright memory of all the heroes who gave their lives for this historic victory," the foreign policy agency's publication stated.
Historical context of the 1918 events
Following the proclamation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on May 28, 1918, Baku was under the control of the Bolshevik-Armenian forces of the Baku Council of People's Commissars, led by Stepan Shaumian. Under conditions where the Baku Council's troops numbered 18,000 men, while the national government had only 600 fighters at its disposal, Ganja became the temporary capital of the republic.
Based on the military assistance treaty of June 4, 1918, the Ottoman State formed the Caucasian Islamic Army under the command of Nuru Pasha. The victory in the battles near Goychay in late June and early July halted the advance of the Baku Council's forces towards Ganja and allowed for a counteroffensive, during which Goychay, Kurdamir, Aghsu, and Shamakhi were liberated.
Despite the resistance of the Dictatorship of Centrocaspia and an unsuccessful first assault attempt on August 5, the decisive offensive by Turkish-Azerbaijani forces began on the night of September 14. On the same day, British troops left the city, and on September 15, the Dictatorship of Centrocaspia was defeated. On September 16, a military parade took place in Baku, and on September 17, the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic relocated to the liberated capital. During the operations to liberate Baku, the Ottoman army lost 1,130 men killed.
Source: az.trend.az
