THE ROLE OF SHUSHA İN THE SECOND KARABAKH WAR AND TURKEY-AZERBAİJAN COOPERATİON ABSTRACT

Abstract

With the dissolution of the Union of Socialist Republics, the First Karabakh War between Azerbaijan and Armenia continued from 1991 to 1994. On December 28, 1991, Armenia invaded Khankendi and proclaimed the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Khojaly was occupied on 25-26 February 1992. Shusha was occupied on 8 May 1992. Laçin was occupied on 18 May 1992. Khojavend was occupied on October 2, 1992. Kelbajar was occupied on April 2, 1993. Ağdere was occupied on 7 July 1993. Aghdam was occupied on 23 July 1993. On August 23, 1993, Gabriel was occupied. Fuzuli was occupied on 23 August 1993. Gubadli was occupied on 31 August 1993. Zangilan was occupied on October 29, 1993. The conflicts that started with these occupations also emerged between the First Karabakh War and the Second Karabakh War. The Second Karabakh War lasted 44 days as a military operation. After this war, 5 provinces, 4 towns and 286 villages were liberated from the Azerbaijani lands that Armenia had occupied for nearly 30 years. Shusha, which has a historical importance, was liberated from occupation. Both during and after the war, Turkey has stated that it is always on the side of Azerbaijan. In this period, new alliance and cooperation agreements were signed between the two states in accordance with the previously signed international agreements.