The anniversary of the establishment of Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was celebrated on March 12.        
In this regard, a solemn ceremony was held in the Main Department of Internal Troops on that day. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Colonel General Vilayat Eyvazov and the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Head of Military Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Colonel General Mahharam Aliyev attended the ceremony.
Firstly, they honored the memory of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, as well as servicemen died for the sovereignty, territorial integrity of our country and all martyrs for the moment of silence.

The Deputy Minister – Commander of Internal Troops, Lieutenant General Shahin Mammadov made a speech on the establishment, development and activity of the organization and noted that the first day when the personnel of Internal Troops started to fight against Armenia’s military aggression by the Decree dated March 9, 1995 of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev – March 12 was declared as the Day of Internal Troops. Over the past period, Internal Troops went through hardships and challenges steadfastly. During the Karabakh War I made for the defense of our territories, from Internal Troops 510 servicemen died, 1166 were injured and 268 were missed in military operations. 9 of servicemen were awarded the title of “National Hero of Azerbaijan”. Lieutenant General Sh.Mammadov noted that servicemen of Internal Troops also participated in the Patriotic War that ended with our victory and demonstrated courage, heroism and patriotism; he also said that 66 servicemen of Internal Troops were martyred, 346 were injured in heavy battles against the enemy, and 1377 servicemen who performed combat missions in the Patriotic War were awarded the high state rewards, as well as 4 were awarded the title “Hero of the Patriotic War”.

Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Head of Military Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Colonel General Mahharam Aliyev who attended the ceremony delivered the sincere congratulations and best wishes of the President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces - Mr.Ilham Aliyev on the next anniversary of the establishment of Internal Troops to the ceremony participants by the instruction of Your Excellency. He stressed in his speech that army-building traditions founded by the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev is successfully continued and developed today and Internal Troops has become a mobile group capable of managing all duties set by law with high professionalism, combat and physical readiness due to high attention and care, as well as strict supervision and exigency.

Subsequently the Minister of Internal Affairs, Colonel General Vilayat Eyvazov made a speech and reminded with a great pleasure that the National Leader Heydar Aliyev paid great attention to the improvement of Internal Troops that was one of main structural bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system in army building process and just because of his special attention and care the Internal Troops developed.
The Minister highlighted that today as a result of high attention and care, as well as demands and instructions provided by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Internal Troops are capable of fulfilling any combat mission with high quality. Our servicemen proved it once again in counter-attack operations “Iron Fist” against the enemy’s attacks by the command of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief. Colonel General Vilayat Eyvazov noted that the whole world, including Azerbaijan faced one of the largest global challenges of the last century for more than two years, humanity fight against COVID-19 virus and we lived in a special quarantine regime, he also highlighted that within this period police officers and Internal Troops servicemen worked in enhanced regime and helped people to solve their vital problems. President’s attendance in various events of Internal Troops, as well as high appreciation for Internal Troops’ service activity, his valuable opinions and recommendations are always accepted as an action program and encourage the personnel for greater achievements. Thanks to Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s irreplaceable support, consistent measures have been taken to improve material-technical base, barracks-housing fund of Internal Affairs and military units have been supplied with equipment, special instruments and communication systems complying with the highest international standards.

It was noted that Internal Troops closely cooperated with Turkish Gendarmerie General Command for 25 years. During this period, service and fighting activity and staff training in Internal Troops have been carried out according to modern requirements by support of Gendarmerie. Minister V.Eyvazov thanked commanders of Gendarmerie General Command and army specialists of the friendly and brotherly state for undeniable role and disinterested aid in achievements.
Minister Vilayat Eyvazov noted that personnel of Internal Troops provided reliable military regime during Patriotic War that ended by our great victory and today those personnel continue their honorable service in liberated territories, he also expressed his confidence that servicemen of Internal Troops would further use make their best efforts and use all of their skills to protect citizens and state’s legal interests from illegal acts and stand guard over public order and domestic security steadfastly.

Then orders signed by Minister of Internal Affairs and Deputy Minister - the Commander of Internal Troops on awarding a group of servicemen distinguished for their service were announced and awards were presented to their owners.
At the end of the event, the participants’ appeal to Your Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces was accepted.