Guliyev was drafted into the Red Army in May 1942. He became a machine gun commander in the 15th Guards Rifle Regiment of the 2nd Guards Rifle Division. Guliyev fought in combat from August. In August and September, German troops reached the Baksan River, defended by the division, then part of the 37th Army. The division fought in battles to stop the German advance. Guliyev fought in the division's counterattack towards Zayukovo, during which German troops reportedly suffered heavy losses. On 25 October 1942, German troops advanced out of their bridgehead on the Terek River towards Nalchik. The German troops reportedly attacked the positions of the division with 100 tanks, supported by infantry. The tanks penetrated into the Soviet lines and the division retreated into the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. The German troops captured Nalchik and Ordzhonikidze. Before 1943, Guliyev helped defend the Urukh River with his division.