Every year, on the finish of February, the individuals of Azerbaijan come collectively to commemorate the victims of the tragic occasions that unfolded in Khojaly. Beginning in October 1991, the city of Khojaly was surrounded by Armenian armed forces. On the evening of 25-26 February 1992, following a heavy artillery bombardment, Armenian forces, assisted by the previous USSR’s 366th Motorized Rifle Regiment, predominantly comprised of Armenians, seized management of Khojaly. At the moment, 33 years later, we bear in mind the devastating occasions of that evening, when harmless civilians misplaced their lives in an act of mindless violence. This present day serves as a solemn reminder of the immense struggling endured by the individuals of Azerbaijan.
Following the Second Karabakh-Patriotic Conflict in 2020, Azerbaijan’s full territorial integrity was restored in 2023, marking the fruits of a 30-year effort to regain the nation’s occupied territories. The sacrifices of the victims of Khojaly, together with the broader tragedy, weren’t in useless, as Azerbaijan has labored to make sure justice for the victims and to carry these liable for the atrocities accountable.
It’s important that the occasions of Khojaly are by no means forgotten. The Azerbaijani individuals are dedicated to educating future generations about these painful chapters in historical past, guaranteeing that the teachings of the previous are preserved and handed on. By incorporating these occasions into the nation’s collective reminiscence, literature, folklore, and tradition, Azerbaijan seeks to make sure that such tragedies don’t happen once more.
Tragically, because the twentieth century got here to a detailed, crimes in opposition to humanity continued, leaving an indelible mark on the historical past of Azerbaijan. The Khojaly bloodbath stays one of the vital poignant examples of the struggling endured by the Azerbaijani individuals. On 26 February 1992, an atrocity befell that claimed the lives of 613 people, together with 106 girls, 63 youngsters, and 70 aged individuals. A complete of 1,275 residents have been taken prisoner, and the whereabouts of 150 stay unknown. The city itself was devastated, with 487 residents—76 of them youngsters—struggling severe accidents. Total households have been destroyed, with 25 youngsters dropping each dad and mom and 130 youngsters left with just one. Moreover, 8 households have been fully destroyed through the assault, inflicting irreversible harm to households and communities.
Along with the destruction of social facilities and personal residences, 14 faculties, 29 libraries, 3 homes of tradition, and 1 native historical past museum have been destroyed through the occupation of the city. The cultural heritage of Khojaly, together with tombs and buildings from the 14th and fifteenth centuries, was ruthlessly demolished
The size of the struggling endured by the Azerbaijani individuals is a violation of worldwide humanitarian legislation and basic human rights. Azerbaijan’s Nationwide Chief, Heydar Aliyev, repeatedly said that the Khojaly tragedy is a “blood reminiscence” for the Azerbaijani individuals. His management performed a vital position in elevating consciousness of those atrocities on the worldwide stage, and in urgent the worldwide neighborhood to acknowledge and handle the injustice.
“With its unimaginable cruelty and inhumane strategies of punishment, the Khojaly genocide directed in opposition to the Azerbaijani individuals as an entire is an atrocity within the historical past of mankind,” declared Nationwide Chief Heydar Aliyev. In 1994, below his management, the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan handed a decision declaring February twenty sixth because the Day of the Khojaly Genocide.
Efforts to convey worldwide consideration to the information of Khojaly and to hunt an neutral analysis of those occasions proceed immediately. Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Basis, has been a number one advocate for this trigger via the “Justice for Khojaly” marketing campaign, which she launched in 2008. Her dedication has been instrumental in elevating international consciousness, notably amongst youthful generations, in regards to the significance of the Khojaly tragedy.
The brand new era has inherited the accountability of safeguarding the legacy of recent Azerbaijan, as established by the Nice Chief Heydar Aliyev. It’s the responsibility of each Azerbaijani citizen to contribute to the continuing efforts to strengthen their nation’s independence and uphold the values of its wealthy historic heritage.
In February 2024, after 32 years of occupation, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan laid the muse stone for the Khojaly Genocide Memorial in Khojaly. In the course of the occasion, he said, “That is the primary time we now have commemorated the harmless Khojaly victims in Khojaly on the anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. We’ve returned to our place of origin to honor the reminiscence of the victims of Khojaly. We took our revenge, exhibiting professionalism, heroism, and selflessness through the 44-day Second Karabakh Conflict and the one-day anti-terror operation. At the moment, we’re rebuilding and restoring each nook of Azerbaijan and Karabakh as rightful homeowners and youngsters of this Motherland.”
It’s a second of profound significance that the individuals of Khojaly are returning to their ancestral land after being displaced for over three many years. In tribute to those that misplaced their lives, Azerbaijan is dedicated to establishing new monuments, parks, and infrastructure to make sure that the reminiscence of Khojaly is honored in a significant approach.
Thus, the Khojaly Bloodbath, which occurred on 26 February 1992, stays one of the vital tragic and vital occasions within the historical past of Azerbaijan. At the moment, the individuals of Azerbaijan are centered on securing worldwide recognition of the Khojaly genocide and guaranteeing accountability for these liable for the crimes dedicated. The Khojaly Bloodbath has been formally acknowledged by the Azerbaijani authorities as an act of ethnic cleaning, and it’s a day of mourning for the Azerbaijani individuals. Varied governments and organizations around the globe have condemned the violence, calling for justice and acknowledgment of the tragedy. The individuals of Azerbaijan proceed to hope that the rights of the victims will probably be honored and that such atrocities won’t ever occur once more.