"The Armenian population in Karabakh can now breathe easy. They are our citizens. We have no hostility towards the Armenian people. We held those at the top of the criminal regime accountable," Ilham Aliyev said in a televised address to the nation.
Emphasizing the intention to build a peaceful and respectful coexistence, he said a new situation in the region is “inevitable, especially after the surrender of the hostile regime.”
Aliyev expressed confidence in the positive change for the Armenian population living in Karabakh, stressing that there is no enmity with the Armenian people.
Despite various injustices and crimes committed by the Armenian regime, Azerbaijan has never blamed the Armenian people as a whole but has held the regime's leaders accountable for their actions, he said.
Aliyev also assured that the rights of Armenians in Karabakh in terms of education, culture, religion, and municipal elections will be safeguarded, and Azerbaijan will implement various social programs.
He also mentioned the reconstruction efforts in Karabakh and the creation of a favorable environment for all residents, including Armenians.
Besides, Aliyev acknowledged the "unexpected political competence" displayed by Armenia and its importance in the conclusion of Azerbaijan’s anti-terror activities, saying these actions would positively impact the peace process in the South Caucasus.
During his address, Aliyev also recalled the tragic incident in which six Azerbaijani civilians lost their lives on Tuesday due to the explosion of mines planted by Armenian armed forces, highlighting that over "300 Azerbaijani citizens had fallen victim to mine-related incidents since the end of the Second Karabakh war."
He said that mines produced in “Armenia in 2021 had been illegally brought into the Karabakh region after the Second Karabakh war," with the apparent intent to carry out terrorist acts against Azerbaijan.
Anti-terror measures
Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan promptly took necessary actions, initiating anti-terror measures that were successfully accomplished within a day. “Terrorists have been punished. Azerbaijan's sovereignty is restored in the region,” he added.
The Azerbaijani president also said the process of disarming and vacating illegal Armenian armed groups from their positions in Karabakh was in progress.
He praised the heroism displayed by Azerbaijani soldiers during the anti-terror measures, highlighting military achievements and the destruction of illegal Armenian armed groups previously stationed in Azerbaijani territories.
He further said that before anti-terrorist activities, he had issued strict orders to protect the Armenian population in Karabakh and civilian infrastructure and hailed the professionalism and technical capabilities of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces for the successful execution of these orders.
Aliyev acknowledged the sacrifices made by Azerbaijani soldiers during the operation and emphasized their dedication to defending the nation's sovereignty and justice.
Earlier, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said earlier that an agreement had been reached to suspend anti-terrorist activities launched in Karabakh.
"Taking into account the request of the representatives of Armenian residents of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached," it said in a statement.
Counter-terrorism measures were launched on Tuesday to uphold provisions outlined in a trilateral peace agreement with Russia and Armenia to end the 2020 conflict.
Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.
Azerbaijan liberated several cities, villages and settlements from Armenian occupation in the fall of 2020 during 44 days of fighting. The war ended with a Russia-brokered cease-fire.