Army holds commemorative events to mark day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis Photo

The Azerbaijani Army conducted a series of commemorative events across its army corps, military units, and special military educational institutions to mark 31 March — the Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis, on the instructions of Minister of Defence Colonel General Zakir Hasanov. 

The ceremonies began with a minute of silence honouring the late National Leader Heydar Aliyev, martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan, and victims of the 1918 genocide. This was followed by the performance of the Azerbaijani national anthem, Caliber.Az reports per the Defence Ministry. 

Officials recalled that between March 30 and April 3, 1918, Azerbaijani civilians were massacred on a mass scale in Baku and throughout the Baku governorate, as well as in Shamakhi, Guba, Khachmaz, Lankaran, Hajigabul, Salyan, Zangazur, Karabakh, Nakhchivan, and other regions, by the Baku Soviet and Armenian Dashnak armed groups.

The commemoration is observed annually at the state level following a decree by Heydar Aliyev on March 26, 1998. Speakers at the events highlighted ongoing efforts by President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to raise international awareness of the genocide and preserve its memory.

Ceremonies included literary and artistic performances, photo exhibitions, documentary screenings, and lectures during socio-political training sessions. Military personnel also visited memorials dedicated to genocide victims and graves of those who died defending Azerbaijan’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.

By Sabina Mammadli