Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 20 / Trend , A.Huseynbala, S.Kazimli/
On Jan. 20, a national mourning day, train movement was halted for one minute at 12:00 at all Baku subway stations. Mourning music was played throughout the day at the stations. Their lobbies were decorated with flowers and black ribbons. State flags were lowered in settlements all over Azerbaijan as a sign of mourning.
The Soviet army launched an aggressive military attack against the Azerbaijani nation on Jan. 20, 1990, as thousands of Azerbaijanis took to the streets in Baku to protest Armenia's territorial claims against the country. The Soviet military operations resulted in an unprecedented tragedy.
The day was a heroic page in the history of Azerbaijan's struggle for freedom and territorial integrity. The valiant sons and daughters of Azerbaijan sacrificed their lives to place the country's freedom, honor and dignity above all.
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 132 people, including 117 Azerbaijanis. 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 Jan. 20th tragedy affected the lives of thousands of innocent Azerbaijanis and demonstrated their inexorable spirit and pride as they fought against the Soviet policies that restricted their freedom. They achieved the independence that they had dreamed of for so many years before as a result.
Although years have passed since the tragedy, Azerbaijan remembers the dreadful event and expresses contempt at those who committed the tragedy.
Every year Azerbaijan marks the anniversary of the Jan. 20th tragedy.
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