Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 26
By Sabina Ahmadova - Trend:
British ambassador to Azerbaijan, Irfan Siddiq has expressed condolences to Azerbaijani people for the tragic loss of life during the Khojaly tragedy, according to the Facebook page of the British Embassy in Azerbaijan.
"Today Azerbaijan marks the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy. Ambassador Irfan Siddiq expresses condolences for tragic loss of life," the message on the embassy's Facebook page read.
On February 25-26, 1992 Armenian occupation forces together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops stationed in Khankendi committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly.
Some 613 people were killed, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people. A total of 1,000 civilians were disabled during the genocide.
Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both.
Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostages, while the fate of 150 people remains unknown.
Following withdrawal of the 366th infantry regiment from Khankendi city, its military equipment, mostly went to the Armenian separatists.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Translated by E.A.
Edited by C.N.