THE KHOJALY GENOCIDE - THE TRAGEDY OF THE 20TH CENTURY

The genocide in one of the most ancient settlements of Khojaly during the first stage of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, which was started by Armenia against Azerbaijan in 1988, is one of the most terrible, tragic and unprecedented events in human history. Khojaly has situated 14 km to the northwest of Khankendi, had a population of 7 thousand before the tragedy in 1992. This was also home to refugees who were forced during that period from Armenia and IDPs from neighboring Khankendi, as well as to Meskheti Turks, who were forced from Fergana in 1989.

On February 26th, 1992 at night the Armenians deployed their forces in Khankendi and with the help of the 366^th shooting military regiment of former USSR attacked defenseless and helpless Khojaly. It started with Armenian forces surrounding the town from four directions and opening heavy and ceaseless fire from artillery and salvo launchers. Within a short time, the city was enveloped in flames of fire. The defending army and local population had to leave town. Khojaly was occupied by the Armenian invaders by 5 AM.

Within one night the town was razed to the ground.

The population left town to escape in the mountains and forests. Armenian armed forces were firing peace civilians from all sides and jeered at them cruelly. Many young girls were taken hostages that cold snowy night. Many of those who tried escaping from Armenian forces in the forests and mountains, froze to death.

As a result of the Armenian invasion, 613 residents of Khojaly were killed, 478 heavily injured. 1275 peace civilians, including elderly persons, children and women, were taken hostages and suffered heavy insults and offences from the Armenians. The fate of 150 of these persons is still remaining unknown.

That was a true genocide. Out of 613 civilians killed in Khojaly, 106 were women, 63 children and 70 elderly persons.

During the Khojaly tragedy, 8 entire families were annihilated, 24 children lost both parents, and 130 children lost one of the parents.

56 persons were killed with special cruelty. They were burnt to death, had their heads cut off, face skin taken off, eyes pricked out. Armenians also did violence to pregnant women and profaned the dead bodies.

THE NATION AND THE STATE OF AZERBAIJAN WILL NEVER FORGET THE KHOJALY TRAGEDY!