During the First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994), Aghdam District was used by Azerbaijani forces to fire BM-21 Grad long-range missiles at the Armenian populace of Stepanakert (Khankendi for the Azeris). Aghdam later came under the control of Armenian forces. After the capture, according to eyewitnesses, the city was plundered, destroyed and burned. The Aghdam Mosque, the only building left standing in Aghdam, has been vandalized with graffiti and used as a stable for cattle and swine. A narrative of "barbarous Armenians who turn mosques into pigsties" would become an important component of mobilization in Azerbaijan in the prelude to the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
Following Azerbaijan's decisive victory, the district was returned to Azerbaijan, and the small Armenian population left the area. Restoration work on the mosque began in 2022, funded by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation (a private foundation headed by Azerbaijan's First Lady, Mehriban Aliyeva).
Aghdam District - Wikipedia
Agdam Mosque - Wikipedia
Following Azerbaijan's decisive victory, the district was returned to Azerbaijan, and the small Armenian population left the area. Restoration work on the mosque began in 2022, funded by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation (a private foundation headed by Azerbaijan's First Lady, Mehriban Aliyeva).
