BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 20. Azerbaijan
commemorates the 36th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy today,
Trend reports.
On January 20, 1990, a day that went down in history as a heroic
page in the struggle for the freedom and territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, the deployment of Soviet military units against the
large masses of people who, outraged by the territorial claims of
Armenia against Azerbaijan and the support of the former Soviet
leadership for these aggressive actions, took to the streets and
squares of Baku to express their strong protest, led to an
unprecedented tragedy in Azerbaijan.
During those tragic days, brave sons of the homeland, who held
the freedom, honor, and dignity of their country and people above
all else, gave their lives and reached the pinnacle of
martyrdom.
The January 20 tragedy, which resulted in great losses and the
killing of innocent people, once again demonstrated the resilience,
unwavering spirit, and dignity of our people who, unable to endure
the treacherous policies of the criminal leadership of the USSR led
by Mikhail Gorbachev, struggled for their freedom and
independence.
On the night of January 19 to 20, 1990, without a prior
declaration of a state of emergency, the Soviet army began military
operations against Azerbaijan. During the tragedy, 147 people were
killed, 744 were severely injured, and 841 were illegally arrested.
As a result of the Soviet army's operations, 200 residential
buildings, houses, and personal and state property were
destroyed.
The first person to express his stance on this bloody event was
the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. On January 21, 1990, in a speech
at a meeting held at Azerbaijan's Permanent Representative Office
in Moscow regarding the tragedy, Heydar Aliyev sharply criticized
those responsible for the incident. He stated that he considered
this event to be contrary to the principles of law, democracy,
humanism, and the establishment of a legal state declared in the
country.
Precisely due to this, Azerbaijan achieved the long-desired
independence after many years and gained sovereignty.
Even though many years have passed since those bloody events,
Azerbaijani people continue to remember that dreadful night and
express their deep hatred toward those who caused this tragedy.
The January 20 tragedy, which will forever live in the blood
memory of Azerbaijani people, is commemorated every year as the
National Mourning Day in Azerbaijan.
Today, the souls of all Azerbaijani martyrs are at peace, for
Azerbaijan, for which they gave their lives, emerged victorious in
the 44-day Second Karabakh War and restored its territorial
integrity. The people of Azerbaijan will never forget their
martyrs, and their cherished memory will forever live in the hearts
of the people.
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