Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the liberation of the town of Shushi, an extremely important strategic point from whence Stepanagerd had been under constant fire. This week has been full of commemorative events in and out of Armenia, celebrating the genius of “Commandos” Arkady Der-Tatevosyan.
“The liberation operation in Shushi was implemented on May 8-9. The operation nearly perfect in terms of its conception and realization, was a unique one in the history of Armenian military art and introduced a dramatic change in the military progress of the Karabakh liberation war.
The operation started after the positions of Kirs were gained and control over the road Lachin-Shushi was established at 2.30 in the morning of May 9 by a simultaneous advancement in 4 directions, with a joint fire from MM-21 guns. The operation was directed by the Commander of Self-Defense Forces Arkadiy Ter-Tadevosyan (Commandos). The commandment was represented also by Major General G. Dalibaltayan, Serzh Sargsyan, R. Gzogyan, Z. Balayan, signalists, medical service, artillery preparation, engineering service. The work was coordinated by A. Papazyan, V. Marutyan, L. Martirosov., R. Aghajanyan, respectively, as well as representatives of NKR leadership O. Yesayan, G. Petrosyan, A. Ghukasyan, R. Kocharyan and others. The plan of the liberation operation was blessed by the leader of Artsakh Diocese, Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan who wished good luck to the members of the Self-Defense Headquarter.
The operation plan was developed with guidance from A. Ter-Tadevosyan immediately after Khojalu was liberated. The plan was put together in March-April, after the intelligence data about the location, positions and the number of the rival forces had been finalized. In terms of human resources and arms the enemy was superior to the Armenian forces. The operation situation was controlled; every single change was immediately reported to V. Sargsyan and S. Sargsyan. The plan was developed in top secrecy with active involvement of A. Ter-Tadevosyan, R. Gzogyan, S. Sargsyan, L. Martirosov, R. Kocharyan, as well as the commanders of the main directions (S. Babayan, A. Karapetyan, S. Ohanyan, V. Chitchyan and others). On April 28 the main directions of the operation, the commanders, the resources at hand were finalized and defined.
By the commission of L. Martirosov, the model of Shushi area was made, enabling the commanders to define their actions and directions. The military actions were led from commanding points, located at an altitude to the north of Shushi and four others. The attack was to start on May 4, but for various reasons (lack of ammunition, adverse weather conditions, etc.) it was delayed. On May 8, at night 4 attacking groups and 1 reserve group (a total of 1200 soldiers) of the self-defense forces started the assault.
The result of the battle became certain already on May 8, when the troops succeeded in gaining favorable positions on Lachin and other directions. The stop of military actions in the evening of May 8, allowed the enemy to withdraw from the city by a specially allocated corridor, having displayed just some irregular resistance. At about noon 1 military place and helicopters of the enemy attacked, bombing a number of Armenian troops, as well as Shushi and Stepanakert. It turned out later that the aim of the air attack to destroy the military warehouses remaining in Shushi – the Azerbaijanis hoped to thus destroy the whole city, but failed to accomplish it.” http://www.shushi.org/en/liberation.php
(the other parts can be found on Youtube)
Shoushi is only 20 years YOUNGE AFTER THE LIBERATION! we should mention RE-LIBERATION!! WE HAD SHOUSHI AND THE WHOLE AREA TILL CASPIAN SEE AND BLACK SEE TO MEDITERRANEAN FOR OVER 11,000 YEARS!!!++++