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First Friday prayers performed in Susha mosques after decades-long occupation

Mosques in the Nagorno-Karabakh region's symbolic city of Shusha called local Muslims to the weekly Friday Prayer for the first time in nearly three decades.

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First Friday prayers performed in Susha mosques after decades-long occupation

Shusha, which was occupied by Armenian forces on May 8, 1992, is a strategically important city in the Upper Karabakh region, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, which is an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan. It is located on the road to Khankendi, the region's largest city.

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First Friday prayers performed in Susha mosques after decades-long occupation

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced on Nov. 8 that Shusha had been liberated from Armenian occupation after clashes broke out on Sept. 27.

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First Friday prayers performed in Susha mosques after decades-long occupation

"After 28 years, the adhan [call to prayer] will be heard in Shusha," said Aliyev, donning a military uniform, in an address to the nation.

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First Friday prayers performed in Susha mosques after decades-long occupation

Baku liberated several cities and nearly 300 of its settlements and villages from Armenian occupation during this time.

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First Friday prayers performed in Susha mosques after decades-long occupation

On Nov. 10, the two countries signed a Russia-brokered agreement to end the fighting and work towards a comprehensive resolution.

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First Friday prayers performed in Susha mosques after decades-long occupation

Turkey welcomed the truce, which resulted from Baku's military successes against Yerevan.