Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

It is already 23 year that Agdere region of Azerbaijan is under the occupation of Armenia.

Agdere was captured by the Armenian armed forces during the beginning of the Karabakh war along other regions in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Located in a strategically important position Agdere city was always a high priority for Armenian invaders. Although Azerbaijani troops liberated from the Armenian invaders on July 4, 1992, Armenian forces re-occupied it on July 7, 1993.

Agdere was formed as a regional administrative unit during the Soviet rule in 1930. In October 1992 the Azerbaijani government divided the region of Agdere among three regions outside of Karabakh -- Tartar, Aghdam, and Kalbajar.

Agdere, which consists of mainly of rock, and the lowland areas in east, is rich in minerals -- deposits of polymetallic ores, limestone and gypsum.

Before the occupation of Agdere with 1,705 square kilometers of area, the region has the population of 44.400 people.

The region had two districts, 57 villages, 67 clubs, 51 libraries, 30 secondary schools, seven hospitals and one professional lyceum. Unfortunately, all of these were destroyed by the Armenian occupants after it was invaded.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended after signing of a precarious ceasefire in 1994. Since then, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh, defying international calls and UN resolutions.

Now refugees from this region live in different cities and regions of Azerbaijan and surrounded by care of the state. However, nothing can replace the native land to these refugees, who still believe and hope that they can return to their birthplace, where they lived in peace and friendship.

During the recent tension in the frontline on the night of April 2, when Armenian armed forces intensely fired on Azerbaijani positions and settlements along the contact line, the national army went to the counter attack.

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces liberated important heights and territories of strategic significance in Agdere, as well as in the Fizuli and Jabrail regions during the counter-offensive following the enemy's attack.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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