Surat Huseynov

Surat Huseynov, born on February twelfth, nineteen fifty-nine, emerged as a significant figure in Azerbaijani history, serving as both a military officer and politician. His rise to prominence came during a tumultuous period in Azerbaijan, marked by the 1993 military coup that led to the ousting of President Abulfaz Elchibey. Huseynov, who had previously commanded forces on the northern front during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, leveraged his connections and resources to gain power.

Despite his lack of formal military training and notable successes, Huseynov commanded a force that was pivotal in the conflict. His tenure was marred by controversy, particularly after Elchibey removed him from command, which led to a strategic withdrawal of his forces and allowed Armenian troops to capture Kelbejer. This decision underscored the chaotic nature of the war and the challenges faced by Azerbaijani leadership.

In June nineteen ninety-three, Huseynov's forces seized weaponry from a departing Russian airborne division in Ganja, which set the stage for his march on Baku. He demanded the resignation of Elchibey and the government, a move that Elchibey ultimately acquiesced to, fearing a civil conflict similar to the Georgian Civil War. Following Elchibey's resignation, Huseynov was appointed Prime Minister by the newly installed President Heydar Aliyev.

However, Huseynov's time in power coincided with significant territorial losses for Azerbaijan in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, culminating in the effective loss of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. His political career faced further challenges, leading to his eventual imprisonment, marking a dramatic fall from grace for a figure once at the center of Azerbaijani military and political life.