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Liberation of Malibeklu - a military operation in the Shushi region which took on February 9-11, 1992. The aim of the operation was to destroy the military base located in the neighborhood of Stepanakert and to ensure the security of the capital.

The liberation of Jamillu and Krkzhan was the first step of the elimination of ring of fire and ensuring the safety of rear. It was followed by the elimination of the threat from Malibeklu. Malikbeklu was the best base for the invasion to Stepanakert and control the road leading to Martuni. The threat increased especially at the beginning of February, when the Azerbaijani armed forces attacked the NKR border from all sides.

On February 9, at 9 pm the first company of Self-Defense Forces headed by the Commander Ashot Ghulyan and ARF volunteer groups and (Commanders - P. Gevondyan and V.Stepanyan) and group of "Arabo" (Commander- M. Yegiazaryan) were stationed in the starting positions. 

The first company organized a frontal attack on the main enemy positions and entered the center of the village. However, facing a strong resistance, the detachment of V. Stepanyan wasn’t able to get around the enemy and located in the rear. To avoid bloodshed, the Azerbaijani population was given an opportunity to leave their houses. In the morning of February 10, the freedom fighters resumed their attack.

In the evening of the same day they attacked the Azerbaijani soldiers, who promptly placed their positions in Gushchular. Back to December 16, 1991, during clashes near the settlement of Berkadzor in Askeran region, fighters chasing Azerbaijanis entered the village without the intention to stay there. Upper and lower bases of Gushchular villages were neutralized only on February 11, 1992. After three days of fighting Malibeklu was also liberated. Stepanakert was released from one more chain of blockade. The shortest road between Stepanakert and Martuni region was restored. Azerbaijani armed forces stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh received another heavy blow. One more fire position which bombarded Stepanakert was destroyed. 

M. Harutyunyan

Source-"Karabakh liberation war 1988-1994”, Yerevan, 2004.