We will not forget the Khojaly genocide!

On February 26, we honor the memory of the victims of the bloody tragedy that took place in Khojaly in 1992. Many years have passed since this terrible event. But it is impossible to forget the brutal crime committed against the residents of a small town in Karabakh. Genocide against the civilian population was carried out by Armenian bandits with the support of the 366th motorized rifle regiment of the former USSR Armed Forces, which consisted mainly of Armenians. That day will remain forever in the memory of not only the people of Azerbaijan, but the entire humanity as a symbol of inhuman violence, terror, and terrible genocide.

Khojaly was a mysterious, peaceful city inhabited by Azerbaijanis in Karabakh. However, peaceful life here was deliberately destroyed by Armenian separatists. Defenseless women, children, and the elderly were mercilessly shot by Armenian gangs and soldiers of the 366th regiment.

The statistics of massacre victims indicate the inhuman treatment of the Armenians towards the Azerbaijani population of the region. 613 people were killed during the Khojaly genocide; 106 of them were women, 63 were young children, and 70 were elderly. 8 families were destroyed, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one of their parents. 1000 people were disabled. 1275 civilians were captured, the fate of 150 of them is still unknown.

We will not forget and forgive the murderers!

Today, we honor the memory of the victims of the genocide under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, in a situation where the brave Azerbaijani Army liberated all the occupied lands, including Khojaly. Our Victory over the enemy, the Azerbaijani flag raised in the cities and villages of Karabakh is our response to the sufferings and losses of the past years, a symbol of the revenge for each of the innocent victims of the Khojaly genocide.

The memory of Khojaly will always remind us of the need to fight for peace and justice. And so that such terrible events do not happen again, we must not forget the lessons of those years and draw the right conclusions.

Residents of Khojaly, who were forced to leave their homeland 32 years ago, will begin to return to their ancestral homes in newly built houses this year. Life will return to its usual peaceful course, and years and decades will pass… Yes, we must live…

But we must not forget the genocide so that it does not happen again.

The pain of Khojaly is forever in our hearts.

Azer Askerov