On November 1, 1993, Armenian forces entered Kovsakan (Zangelan), completing a major military operation along the southern front during the First Artsakh War.
The operation followed the neutralization of the Azerbaijani military base in Horadiz, which left Azerbaijani units in Kovsakan and parts of Jrakan (Jabrayil) and Sanasar (Ghubadli) isolated.
Azerbaijani forces prevented civilians from leaving the combat zone, using them as human shields and complicating the Armenian military advance.
To avoid civilian casualties, the Artsakh Defense Forces unilaterally suspended operations on October 25 and established a humanitarian corridor along the Araks River, allowing residents to evacuate until October 26.
Despite Armenian attempts to coordinate the evacuation, Azerbaijani forces reportedly refused contact and shelled southwestern Hadrut from positions in Khanlyg. Armenian forces subsequently struck those positions and took control of Khanlyg on October 26.
On October 27, following an appeal from Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Armenian forces again suspended operations to allow further civilian evacuations. The ceasefire remained in place for three days.
After the evacuation period, Armenian forces resumed their advance, encountering limited resistance before entering Kovsakan on November 1.
The operation marked the capture of Azerbaijan’s remaining southern positions in the area and a significant development in the First Artsakh War.
