Azerbaijan Army held a series of events on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.
At the remembrance events, the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Shehids, who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as well as the victims of the Khojaly genocide was honored with observing a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan accompanied by military orchestra was performed.
The speakers stated that during the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed formations with the support of the 366th motorized rifle regiment of the former Soviet army, launched an attack on the city and committed a massacre of the civilian population with extreme brutality. It was highlighted that as a result of another massacre committed by the Armenian aggressors against the Azerbaijani people, 613 people were killed, 1,275 civilians were captured, and the fate of 150 people remain unknown. As a result of this horrific act of genocide, 8 families were completely killed, 25 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one parent. 487 people, including 76 children, became permanently disabled due to severe physical and psychological torture.
The events also highlighted the victory gained under the command of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief in the 44-day Patriotic War in response to Armenia’s provocations and military aggression, and the successful anti-terror operation conducted by the Azerbaijan Army. Additionally, the activities held by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, as well as the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to introduce the Khojaly genocide to the world, were emphasized.
At the events, monuments erected in memory of the Khojaly genocide victims were visited, lectures on the genocide were given during socio-political training classes, as well as photo exhibitions and documentaries were shown. Literary-artistic compositions presented by the Hazi Aslanov Army Ideological and Cultural Center, as well as the Ganja Garrison Ideological and Cultural Center aroused great interest.