Azerbaijan marks anniversary of massacre in Malibayli and Gushchular villages

The anniversary of the massacre committed by the Armenian armed forces in the Malibayli and Gushchular villages of the Shusha district is marked on February 11.

The Armenian armed forces occupied Malibayli, Ashagi Gushchular, and Yukhari Gushchular villages, and massacred them on February 11, 1992, 31 years ago, APA reports.

The population of Malibayli and Gushchular villages, constantly subjected to attacks by Armenian militants, gave the enemy a worthy rebuff under the siege since the beginning of the Karabakh war.

The helicopter was the only means of transport in these villages, surrounded on all sides by densely populated Armenian settlements.

After the Armenian armed forces shot down a helicopter flying from Aghdam to Shusha on January 28, 1991, Malibayli and Gushchular villages were completely isolated from the surrounding territories.

After several days of blockade and attacks, since February 9, the Armenian armed units launched a large-scale offensive against Malibayli and Gushchular villages by using weapons and equipment of the 366th regiment stationed in Khankendi city, as well as Russian soldiers and servicemen of Armenian nationality serving there.

After a three-day unequal battle on February 11, 1992, both villages were occupied. Villages were burned, and houses, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, administrative buildings, cultural monuments, and agricultural facilities were destroyed.
As a result of the occupation, up to 50 civilians were taken prisoner or killed, and hundreds of people were injured.

After the occupation of Malibayli and Gushchular villages, Khojaly was opened to Armenian terrorists. After Malibayli and Gushchular, Armenian armed units committed a massacre in Garadaghli on February 17 while a genocide in Khojaly was committed on February 26.

Malibayli and Gushchular villages after the 44-day Second Karabakh war are temporarily monitored by the Russian peacekeepers.