BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 19. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Energy held a commemoration in honor of the 36th anniversary of the January 20 tragedy, a defining chapter in the Azerbaijani people’s struggle for independence and sovereignty, TurkicWorld reports via the ministry.
The event commenced with a solemn minute of silence to honor the martyrs. Deputy Minister of Energy Samir Valiyev emphasized that the tragic events of January 20, which unfolded amidst efforts to forcibly integrate Karabakh with Armenia, are etched in history as a grave atrocity against the Azerbaijani people.
Valiyev reflected on the violence inflicted by Soviet troops dispatched to Baku in January 1990, under orders from the Soviet leadership. This unprecedented brutality against civilians resulted in the senseless loss of innocent lives. The harrowing events of that day played a pivotal role in shaping the national identity of Azerbaijan and strengthening the aspirations for freedom and independence.
The event also underscored the first political and legal condemnation of the tragedy, delivered by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who decried the Soviet military’s actions in Baku as a heinous crime and called for accountability for those responsible.
The Ministry further emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev continues to pay tribute to the victims, providing unwavering support for the families of martyrs and individuals with disabilities through sustained social protection initiatives.
Speeches delivered during the ceremony underscored that the historic triumph in the 44-day Patriotic War affirmed that the sacrifices made by all martyrs, including those of January 20, were not in vain. The continued strengthening of social protections for martyrs' families, the commitment to sustainable national development, and the restoration of liberated territories were presented as a natural extension of this sacred legacy.
The commemoration concluded with the screening of a poignant video dedicated to the events of January 20, reflecting on their lasting significance.
