After completing his studies at a military school in Tiflis, Salimov served in the 3rd Caucasus battalion in Julfa and was a part of a reconnaissance mission in Tehran.

In the midst of World War I, Salimov was conferred with Order of Saint Stanislaus of the 3rd degree for "excellence in the activities against the enemy".

In mid-1918, Salimov's professionalism was noticed by General Nuri Pasha of Army of Islam, who appointed him Chief of Staff of the Azerbaijani corps.

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.

[1] On August 1, 1918 with the formal establishment of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Habib Bey Salimov was appointed Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijani Armed Forces.