September 27, 2020: Chronology of first day of 44-day Patriotic War

On September 27, 2020, in response to what Azerbaijan described as a large-scale provocation by the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, the Azerbaijani Army launched a counteroffensive operation, which was later called the "Iron Fist" operation.

The 44-day Patriotic War brought an end to nearly three decades of occupation and resulted in the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

The hostilities ended with a trilateral statement signed on November 10, 2020, which established a ceasefire and provided for the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the remaining occupied territories.

AzerNEWS presents the chronology of the Patriotic War as of September 27:

• The Defense Ministry announced that Armenian military units had shelled Azerbaijani settlements and civilians;

• Azerbaijani forces launched a counteroffensive operation along the entire frontline;

• One of the Azerbaijani Army's combat helicopters was damaged and landed on Azerbaijani territory;

• Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation;

• The Defense Ministry announced that fighting was underway for strategically important heights that had been under occupation;

• The Ombudsman issued a statement protesting what it described as another serious violation of the ceasefire regime by Armenia;

• Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement;

• A meeting of the Security Council was held under the chairmanship of President Ilham Aliyev;

• The Defense Ministry announced the names of the villages liberated from occupation;

• Recep Tayyip Erdogan called President Ilham Aliyev by phone;

• Zakir Hasanov announced that the enemy's frontline had been breached and that seven villages had been liberated from occupation;

• The Defense Ministry released footage showing the destruction of enemy military equipment;

• The Prosecutor General's Office announced that the number of civilians wounded had reached 14;

• Zakir Hasanov spoke about details of the enemy provocation on the frontline;

• The Defense Ministry called on the Armenian garrison stationed in the settlement of Aghdara to surrender;

• The Defense Ministry released footage showing the enemy abandoning armored vehicles on the battlefield and fleeing;

• Murov Peak in the Murovdag mountain range was liberated;

• President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree declaring martial law;

• The Defense Ministry released footage showing the destruction of an ammunition depot belonging to the Armenian army.