The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has issued a statement regarding January 20 – the National Day of Mourning.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the statement emphasizes the events of January 20, 1990, as a turning point in the modern history of Azerbaijan, reflecting both a tragedy and the dignity and pride of the nation.
It was noted that 36 years ago, as a result of the military intervention carried out by the Soviet army against the civilian population in Baku and several regions of the country, 150 civilians lost their lives, 744 people were seriously injured, and 4 people went missing. The MFA statement says that this bloody event was an attempt to suppress the legitimate demands of the Azerbaijani people for freedom, national dignity, and sovereignty by force. However, instead of breaking the people's will, the events further strengthened the determination to struggle for independence.
The ministry highlighted that the sacrifice of the January 20 martyrs created a solid foundation for the restoration of the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1991. The spirit of unity and resistance demonstrated that day also played its historical role during the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020 and the anti-terror measures in 2023. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the Victorious Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Azerbaijani Army liberated the lands from occupation and restored the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty within the framework of international law.
Furthermore, the new realities formed in the region following the Victory, the advancement of the peace and security agenda, large-scale restoration and construction work, and the return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands were assessed as a manifestation of the unwavering will of the Azerbaijani people. The Ministry respectfully commemorated the memory of the January 20 martyrs and all heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, expressing deep condolences to their families.
January 20, often referred to as "Black January," is observed annually in Azerbaijan to honor those who fell during the Soviet crackdown. The event is considered the birth of the modern independence movement, leading to the eventual collapse of Soviet rule in the Caucasus. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that consistent and purposeful activities will continue to ensure that crimes against humanity and international law, such as the January 20 massacre, are never repeated.
