Day: January 20, 2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has released a statement on 20 January – National Mourning Day, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac.

“Today, it has been 34 years since the military assault against the people of Azerbaijan and an unprecedented massacre targeting civilians by the former Soviet regime in breach of international law.

Towards the end of the 1980s, the former Soviet Union’s disregard for Armenia’s illegal territorial claims against our country, deportation of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from their ancestral lands in present-day Armenia, and inciting ethnic riots for backing separatist activities in Azerbaijan’s Garabagh region, further stimulated the rise of the national independence movement against the Soviet regime in Azerbaijan.

On the night of 19-20 January 1990 as a result of military aggression by units and special forces of Soviet Army as well as contingents of internal troops against Azerbaijan, massacres intending forcibly suppressing national independence movement in Azerbaijan were carried out against civilians, including women, children, and the elderly in Baku and Sumgayit, Lankaran, and Neftchala. Military aggression of the occupying forces claimed the lives of 150 citizens, severely wounded 744 others, and 4 people went missing.

On 21 January 1990, immediately after the tragedy, at the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan in Moscow, National Leader Heydar Aliyev was able to break through the Soviet regime’s information blockade revealing this heinous crime against our people, and convey the world community the truth about the massacres.

20 January tragedy had a decisive impact on shaping the Azerbaijani national identity and marked a historic turning point in the restoration of independence of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani people who were exposed to the military, political, and moral aggression of the Soviet regime 34 years ago, demonstrated devotion to their historical traditions of struggle. The sons and daughters of the motherland, who sacrificed their lives for justice on that tragic day, left a remarkable page in the heroic history of our people. On 20 January 1990, which was marked in our history as a day of tragedy, as well as of national pride, Azerbaijani people conveyed to the world that they deserve to live free, sovereign and independent.

Following the return of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to power in our country, at the special session of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) held in February 1994 the brutal killing of innocent people on 20 January 1990 was qualified as military aggression and a crime, and in March 1994 a decision “On the tragic events committed in Baku on 20 January 1990” was adopted.

Regardless of the terrible atrocities committed against our people, the attempts to undermine our territorial integrity and sovereignty, and military occupation of our lands by Armenia for almost 30 years, the 44-day Patriotic War resulted in the complete restoration of our territorial integrity, while local counter-terrorism measures on 19-20 September 2023 led to the complete restoration of our sovereignty. For the first time this year, the 34th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy, which backfired by becoming the peak of the national independence movement, coincides with the time of complete restoration of our sovereignty, for which our sons and daughters sacrificed their lives.

We remember with deep respect and gratitude the memory of our Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

The post Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry issues statement on 20 January – National Mourning Day appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

“34 years have passed after the bloodiest night of January 19-20, when the civilians were massacred in Baku and nearby regions by order of the USSR leadership. As a result of the January tragedy committed by Soviet troops 150 civilians were killed and 744 more were wounded, including women, children and the elderly, medical employees and policemen. The victims of the tragic events of 1990 are symbolically named “20 January martyrs”. In total, there are 150 “20 January martyrs” in Azerbaijan,” according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac, citing the message of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) shared on 20 January – National Mourning Day.

“On this day, which has become a symbol of national unity and patriotism of the brotherly people, TURKPA commemorates with veneration the sons and daughters of Azerbaijan who had sacrificed their lives for its independence and sovereignty.

May Allah rest the souls of the martyrs in peace!” TURKPA added.

The post TURKPA commemorates the sons and daughters of Azerbaijan appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a photo on his social media accounts on the occasion of the 20 January tragedy, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac.

The post President Ilham Aliyev made post on occasion of 20 January tragedy appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has made a post on her social media accounts on the 34th anniversary of the 20 January tragedy, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac.

The post reads as follows:

“20 January, 1990. We commemorate our martyrs with pride and respect.”

The post First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva made post on anniversary of 20 January tragedy appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

Thirty-four years have passed since the tragic events of Bloody January. As is customary each year, the people of Azerbaijan pay profound respect to the martyrs of 20 January, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac

Large crowds have been heading towards the Alley of Martyrs since the early hours of 20 January, placing carnations at the graves of martyrs. The day is etched in the history of our nation not only as a tragedy but also as a page of heroism. Alongside the prevailing sadness, the faces of tens of thousands of people bowing in front of the martyrs’ graves reflect a sense of pride.

People from all walks of life are gathering at the Alley of Martyrs – veterans of the Patriotic War, soldiers, representatives of public institutions, young people, and schoolchildren. This collective display is a manifestation of the people’s respect and reverence for the heroic sons and daughters of the Motherland.

Today, commemorative events and ceremonies are taking place not only in Baku but also in regions and foreign countries, with prayers being offered for the souls of the martyrs.

We recall the events of 20 January 1990 when units of the Soviet army and special forces, along with internal troops, committed a military aggression against Azerbaijan. In an effort to suppress the demonstrations held as a sign of protest against the deportation of hundreds of thousands of our compatriots from Western Azerbaijan and Armenia’s groundless territorial claims against Karabakh, the Soviet army rolled on Baku and the regions to stifle the national liberation movement and committed an unprecedented massacre against the civilian population. As a result, 150 civilians were killed and more than 700 people were seriously injured.

On the morning following the tragic events, National Leader Heydar Aliyev went to the permanent representative office of Azerbaijan in Moscow, vehemently condemned this heinous crime committed against the Azerbaijani people, and demanded punishment of the guilty.

The first political and legal assessment of the tragedy of 20 January at state level was given by great Heydar Aliyev. The martyrs were immortalized, 20 January was declared the Day of National Mourning, and social protection of the families of the martyrs and disabled persons was strengthened.

Continuing this policy, President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to the disabled and families of martyrs of 20 January. Health centers have been established for the rehabilitation of the disabled, apartments and cars have been handed out to disabled people and families of the martyrs of 20 January. The presidential pension for the families of 20 January martyrs and wounded people has also been raised.

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The martyrs’ blood did not remain unavenged. Our people have regained independence, and our lands, which have been under occupation for about 30 years, were liberated on the battlefield.

The troubled souls of the martyrs of 20 January finally found peace after the historic Victory won in the 44-day Patriotic War under the leadership of President of Azerbaijan and Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.

Short time later, the Karabakh Victory followed with its expected continuation. On September 19, 2023, the presence of separatists in Karabakh was brought to an end through local anti-terrorist measures. The National Flag of Azerbaijan was raised in Khankendi, Khojaly, Asgaran and other liberated territories. Thus, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan have been fully restored.

Our dear martyrs, who paved the first path and sacrificed their lives for freedom and victories, will never be forgotten. Their bright memories will live on in our hearts forever.

The post People of Azerbaijan pay tribute to 20 January martyrs appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.

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