Azerbaijan is commemorating the 20th anniversary of Jan. 20 tragedy today.
The Soviet Army commenced military operations against Azerbaijan early morning Jan. 20, 1990 before declaring a state of emergency. The tragedy claimed the lives of 131 people, including 117 Azerbaijanis, six Russians, three Jews and three Tatars. Some 744 people were severely injured. Four went missing and 400 were arrested. Twenty one people were killed after a state of emergency was declared on Jan. 20. Twenty six people were killed in the Neftchala and Lankaran regions.
The Soviet military operations resulted in an unprecedented tragedy as the valiant sons and daughters of Azerbaijan sacrificed their lives to place our freedom, honor and dignity above all.
Jan. 20, 1990 was a heroic page in the history of Azerbaijan's struggle for freedom and territorial integrity.
The tragedy affected the lives of thousands of innocent Azerbaijanis and demonstrated our inexorable spirit and pride as we fought against the Soviet policies that restricted our freedom. We achieved the independence that we had dreamed of for so many years.
Azerbaijan commemorates Jan. 20 every year.