The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh turned into a military phase in late 1991-early 1992. Taking advantage of the political instability as a result of the breakup of the Soviet Union and internal squabbles in Azerbaijan, Armenia initiated with external military assistance combat operations in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenians attacked villages inhabited by Azerbaijanis in Nagorno-Karabakh and border regions of both States, killed mercilessly the inhabitants living there, and occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts (Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrail, Zangilan, Gubadly and Lachyn).

The ongoing armed conflict in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan has resulted in the occupation of almost one-fifth of the territory of Azerbaijan and made approximately one out of every eight persons in the country an internally displaced person or refugee, 20,000 people were killed, 50,000 people were wounded or maimed. More than 1 million people, victims of the policy of genocide and ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijan, live in the situation of refugees and IDPs, are deprived of basic human rights.

Twenty years ago, in 1993, the Security Council adopted four resolutions condemning the use of force against Azerbaijan and the occupation of its territories; reaffirming respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the inviolability of international borders; confirming that the Daghlyq Garabagh (Nagorno-Karabakh) region is part of Azerbaijan; and demanding the immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces from all the occupied territories (resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993).

Despite a ceasefire agreement signed in 1994, the Armenian military forces have continued to violate the ceasefire regime in various directions of the front line.

An attempt by Armenian aggressors to violate the cease-fire regime took place in April 2016. From April 1 to 2, 2016, the Azerbaijani front line positions and settlements were subjected to intensive artillery fire by the Armenian armed forces. The 22nd anniversary of the cease-fire, the fiercest battle that took place for the first time, dates back to April fights and resulted in the victory of the Azerbaijani Army.

In order to prevent this attack, to ensure the security of the civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces commanded immediate response to the Aghdere-Terter-Aghdam and Khojavend-Fuzuli directions, the heights around the Talish village in Terter, the Leletepe height and Cocuq Mercanly village in Jabrayil, Gulustan village in Goranboy and Madagiz village in Terter were liberated from the enemy.

On April 4, the Armenian army again attacked our positions on the frontline, mainly in Agdere-Tartar and Khojavand-Fuzuli directions, to regain its lost positions, intensively firing our settlements close to the contact line. The plan to continue the attack by sending an additional force was frustrated thanks to the army's courage. The important military headquarter at the military base in Madagiz from strategic point of view and the bus with Armenian volunteers were hit by our troops.

The auxiliary troop of the Armenian armed forces mobilized from the Agdere, Madagiz and other settlements and planned to move on Azerbaijani military units were destroyed by preventive strikes of our units. As a result of attacks on enemy firefighters and artillery units, due to the actions carried out by our intelligence services several villages of Jabrayil, the town of Horadiz and areas along the River Araz in the south,  Goranboy District and Naftalan city in the north which were under threat ,the Leletepe height and strategically important areas around it were liberated. New positions were established in the liberated areas and military fortifications were constructed there.

The Armenian armed forces lost great number soldiers and their military fortifications were destroyed.

The enemy’s headquarter and major military units in Madagiz settlement were destroyed. The Azerbaijani army could get the control over the roads in Aghdere-Madagiz and Jabrayil directions.

Under the Presidential Decree dated  19 April 2016, thee members of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan  were awarded with the honourable title  'National Hero of Azerbaijan';  7- the Azerbaijan Flag Order; 19 - the  Medal “For Motherland”;   43-  the medal ‘For Courage’, 45 - the medal ‘For Distinguished Military Service’, and two members obtained the rank of Major-General.

Due to a successful counter-attack military operation carried out by the Azerbaijani Army people in Cocuq Marjanly village of Jabrayil District which was freed from the Armenian occupation became safe for restoring the civil life in it. Thus, in order the civilians who lived here historically return to their native lands, major reconstruction  activities began in the village. For this purpose, President Ilham Aliyev signed a Decree dated 24 January  2017

Thus, the April victory raised the military patriotic spirit of young people. The victory gained in the April wars further increased our people's confidence in our army.

The April fights showed that the Azerbaijani Army has a great potentiality. And the Azerbaijani state will never be resigned to the occupation of their territories, and will restore the territorial integrity of the country at all costs.