Khojaly was a city located in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, near the city of Khankendi. This city is considered one of the historical settlements where the ancient Khojaly-Gadabey culture of Azerbaijan was born and developed. In 1992, up to 7,000 people lived in this city until it was occupied by Armenians who made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
It should be noted that Armenian military units besieged the city since the fall of 1991. Food was delivered to the city only by military helicopters. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, this city was occupied by Armenians, and its population was subjected to unprecedented brutality and genocide in the history of mankind. The Armenians who attacked the city at night with the help of the 366th motorized regiment of the former USSR located in Khankendi subjected the unarmed civilian population to a bloody massacre. Since the attack was at night, the people who left their homes could not even take the necessary warm clothes in the snowy and frosty weather. The surrounding population, including women, children, and the elderly, were brutally killed by the Armenians who besieged the city.
As a result of this genocide, 613 people were killed in Khojaly (including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 old people), 487 people were maimed, and 1275 civilians were captured. The captives were subjected to unimaginable oppression and insults, ignoring the principles of International Conventions. As a result of the genocide, 8 families were completely killed, 24 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one of their parents.
The people of Azerbaijan never forget the Khojaly genocide. Their memory will always remain in the memory of our people. By the decision of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, February 26 was declared “Khojali Genocide and National Day of Mourning“. On February 25, 1997, the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev issued a decree “On declaring a minute of silence in memory of the Khojaly genocide victims“.
In 2020, justice finally found its place. In order to put an end to Armenia’s military provocation and occupation activities, Azerbaijan, under the leadership of the country’s President, Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev, starting the Patriotic War and liberated our lands, which had been occupied for more than 30 years, from Armenian occupation. In September 2023, the remaining Armenian terrorist units in the region were destroyed within 1 day as a result of the anti-terrorist operation of Azerbaijani Military Forces.
Currently, construction and improvement works are being carried out at a high speed in Karabakh. More than 1 million of our citizens, including the residents of Khojaly, who have become refugees from their native lands – from Karabakh, are impatiently waiting for the day when they will return to their ancestral lands and settle down.
May Allah protect Azerbaijan and its independence. May Allah have mercy on our martyrs.
Assoc. Prof. Namik MEMMEDOV
Head of the Department of the Institute of Oriental Studies of ANAS, PhD in History
