Azerbaijan marks National Mourning Day

Azerbaijan marks the 33rd anniversary of the January 20 tragedy today.

The troops of the Soviet army fought against people who took to the streets and squares of Baku to express the protest against the aggressive actions of Armenia on January 20, 1990, which put forward territorial claims against Azerbaijan, and the patronage of the leadership of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This resulted in an unprecedented tragedy.

During those tragic days, the Azerbaijani brave sons, for whom national unity, freedom, honour, and dignity of their country and people were above everything, were killed becoming martyrs.

The January 20 tragedy, which resulted in the death of innocent people, once again demonstrated the fighting spirit, inflexibility, pride of the Azerbaijani people striving for freedom and independence, who did not tolerate the treacherous policy of the criminal leadership of the USSR led by Mikhail Gorbachev against Azerbaijan.

The Soviet army launched military operations against the Azerbaijani people without prior declaration of a state of emergency on the morning of January 20, 1990. As a result of the tragedy, 147 people were killed, 744 were severely injured, and 841 people were illegally arrested. As a result of the actions of the Soviet army, 200 apartments, houses, and personal and state property were destroyed.

January 20, 1990, became a heroic page in the history of the struggle for Azerbaijan’s independence and territorial integrity. Despite several years having passed since these bloody events, the Azerbaijani people never forget that terrible day, expressing their deep hatred for those who committed this tragedy.

This day was declared the National Mourning Day in Azerbaijan in memory of the victims of the tragic events on January 20.