33 years later: Azerbaijan mourns Khojaly victims as regional partners show solidarity

Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide, a tragedy that remains one of the most harrowing and brutal events in modern history.

Commemorations are taking place to honour the memory of the victims and to remind the world of the horrors that unfolded on that fateful night.

The Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTG), Kubanychbek Omuraliyev, addressed this solemn occasion in a message posted on his social media page on platform X, Caliber.Az reports, referring to local media.

He expressed deep sorrow over the atrocity and emphasized the enduring support of the Turkic world for Azerbaijan. In his statement, he reaffirmed unwavering solidarity with the government and the brotherly Azerbaijani people, paying tribute to the innocent lives lost during the massacre. 

To further highlight the remembrance, he accompanied his message with the hashtags #KhojalyGenocide and #WeRemember.

Expressions of support for Azerbaijan on this anniversary also came from the Ambassador of Pakistan to Baku, Qasim Mohiuddin.

The Pakistani diplomat took to social media, underscoring his country’s solidarity with Azerbaijan. In his message, he stated that Pakistan stands in solidarity with Azerbaijan and honours the memory of the victims of the Khojaly Genocide, demonstrating continued international recognition of the tragedy.

The Khojaly Genocide and the occupation of the city of Khojaly by Armenian armed forces remain among the darkest moments in Azerbaijan’s history. On the night of February 26, 1992, Armenian militants, with the support of the 366th Regiment of the former USSR, launched a ruthless attack on the city. The assault was marked by unimaginable brutality, with hundreds of civilians—including women, children, and the elderly — slaughtered in what became one of the most gruesome massacres of the Karabakh conflict.

The consequences of this bloodshed were devastating. A total of 613 civilians lost their lives, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly people. The horror did not end with those who perished — 1,275 people were taken hostage and the fate of 150 remains unknown to this day. The survivors were left to endure unimaginable suffering; 475 people were left disabled, while entire families were wiped out. Eight families were completely annihilated, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 others were left without one of their parents.

As Azerbaijan marks this painful anniversary, the memory of the Khojaly Genocide remains a deep wound in the nation’s history. The tragedy continues to serve as a grim reminder of the atrocities committed and the need for justice and recognition on the global stage.

By Tamilla Hasanova