He graduated from Nikolaev Military Academy of Chiefs of Staff of the Russian Empire on March 4, 1918. After establishment of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Colonel Salimov returned to Azerbaijan and was appointed Chief of Documentation Department of Azerbaijani Army. In mid 1918, Salimov's professionalism was noticed by General Nuru Pasha of Army of Islam, who appointed him Chief of Staff of the Azerbaijani corps. Salimov was subsequently charged with leading the Azerbaijani units towards Baku along the Ganja-Baku Railway. Having liberated terminals at Nəvai, Atbulaq and Ələt by August 1, 1918, he marched towards Baku. For his service in the liberation of Baku on September 15, 1918 Habib Bey Salimov was promoted to General Major on February 23, 1919 by Minister of Defense Samad bey Mehmandarov according to Order No. 30. Salimov was the second high ranking general of newly established Azerbaijani Army after Mammad Bey Shulkevich. During the Armenian uprising in Karabakh on March 22, 1920 led by Dashnaks Dali Kazar (Kazarov) and Drastamat Kanayan, Salimov was charged to lead a 20 thousand strong expedition to put down the rebellion. The force led by Salimov included the 3rd Ganja, 5th Baku, 1st Javanshir, 4th Quba and 8th Agdam regiments. Azerbaijani counterattack started on April 3 and after 12 days of fighting, control over Karabakh was restored by Azerbaijani forces. Dali Kazar was killed and General Kanayan fled Karabakh. On August 1, 1918 with formal establishment of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Habib Bey Salimov was appointed Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijani Armed Forces.