A symbolic military parade with the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish troops, was held in Baku on Saturday 15 September, to mark the 100th anniversary of the liberation of the city by the Caspian Islamic Army and elements from the nascent Azerbaijan Army, from Bolshevik control in 1918.
Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, and Turkish president Recip Tayip Erdogan participated in the event, which included soldiers from the two countries, some dressed in historic costumes. Both presidents addressed the parade, refering to the excellent level of current Azerbaijan-Turkish relations and hailing the spirit of brotherhood between the two countries.
Azerbaijani mass media have given extensive coverage to the anniversary. Trend Nerws Agency, which is close to the government said:
"The liberation of Baku is an event of exceptional importance for the Azerbaijani-Turkish friendship and brotherhood.
Despite the fact that during 70 years of Soviet power this event was purposefully expounded in an erroneous context, the Azerbaijani people never forgot the heroism of Turkish soldiers".
A report by the agency recalled that about eight thousand Ottoman soldiers and up to seven thousand local Azerbaijani forces gathered to take part in a decisive offensive for the liberation of Baku in September 1918, leading to the expulsion of the Bolshevik government and the "Baku Commissars"
The agency adds that, "On September 15 in Ganja, the first issue of the newspaper "Azerbaijan" published news about the liberation of Baku: "Telegram of the Commander of the Caucasian Islamic Army, Nuru Pasha of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic:" Bismillahir rahmanir rakhim! At the beginning of 09:00 on September 15, 1918 the city of Baku was liberated by parts of our heroic army. "
"After the liberation of Baku by the Caucasian Islamic Army on September 17, the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic moved from Ganja to Baku. Thus, the main stage of state construction begins in Azerbaijan."
Source: Commonspace.eu with Trend news agency and other media outlets
photo: Turkish President Erdogan and Azxerbaijani President Aliyev, pose for a pciture with soldiers, some in traditional copstumes, who participated in the parade marking the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Baku held on 15 September 2018. Picture courtesy ofthe press service of the president of Azerbaijan).
