Today is the Day of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of the Internal Troops (IT) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Azerbaijan.

In December 1991, the 5th Division of the Internal Troops of the former USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs in Baku was disbanded, and three military units with a total strength of 2,500 personnel were transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. From that moment, the creation of Azerbaijan's Internal Troops began on the basis of a military unit stationed in the settlement of Balajary. The creation and formation of the IT as an independent structure of the MIA coincided with a very difficult period for our country.

On March 12, 1992, servicemen of IT units stationed in the settlement of Balajary, Sumgayit, and Ganja began combat operations against Armenian aggressors to ensure the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. During the first Karabakh war, IT fighters battled in the villages of Papavend, Galaychylar, Manikli, Bash Guneypeya, Janyata, and Gulyatag of the Aghdam district. The first martyrs among IT servicemen were Sergeant Khatamkhan Babayev, Lieutenant Rafig Ismayilov, and Senior Lieutenant Ruber Safaraliyev. The day of the first battle — March 12 — became Internal Troops Day.

The corresponding decree was signed by national leader Heydar Aliyev on March 9, 1995.

During the first Karabakh war, settlements in the Aghdam, Aghdara, and Fuzuli districts were defended by the personnel of the Aghdam Regiment of the IT.

In total, during 1992–1994, 680 servicemen of the IT of the MIA became martyrs, five went missing, and 1,177 were wounded. Nine individuals were awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan, eight of them posthumously.

IT servicemen also fought in the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020.

From the first days of the Patriotic War, IT servicemen participated in fierce battles for the liberation of Murovdag, Jabrayil and Fuzuli districts, the settlement of Hadrut, and the city of Shusha. In total, over the 44 days, 66 servicemen of the IT of the MIA were killed, 346 were wounded, and four were awarded the title of Hero of the Patriotic War, including one posthumously.

The IT, subordinate to the MIA, are a military formation that is part of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.

In carrying out the tasks assigned to them, the IT protect the interests of individuals, society, and the state, as well as the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens from criminal and other unlawful actions.

Currently, military units of the Internal Troops are stationed in five cities and nine districts of Azerbaijan. In addition, there are nine special purpose detachments of the IT, consisting mainly of warrant officers and officers.

The Commander of the Internal Troops since November 15, 2013, has been Lieutenant General Shahin Mammadov, and the Chief of Staff since February 15, 2018, has been Major General Tofig Huseynov.