Baku: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the Alley of Martyrs to honor the cherished memory of the 20 January martyrs, APA reports. The head of state laid a wreath at the “Eternal Flame” monument, and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed to commemorate the solemn occasion.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, 35 years have passed since the bloody tragedy of January 20. The events, marked as one of the most tragic days in Azerbaijan’s modern history, symbolize the struggle for national independence and freedom. Despite the punitive actions by the former Soviet army, the Azerbaijani people’s desire for freedom intensified. On that fateful night 35 years ago, patriotic Azerbaijanis who prioritized the freedom, honor, and dignity of their homeland sacrificed their lives and ascended to martyrdom. The memory of the bloody events and the bitterness of those terrible days remains with the Azerbaijani people, who express contempt for the then Soviet leaders and their collaborators in Azerbaijan.
The Soviet army’s introduction of large military units to suppress the people’s protest against the USSR’s biased, pro-Armenian, and anti-Azerbaijani policies led to unprecedented tragedy and loss of innocent lives, particularly in Baku. During this time, Azerbaijan’s leaders failed to unite with the people. However, national leader Heydar Aliyev, residing in Moscow then, risked his life to condemn the perpetrators of Bloody January and brought international attention to the atrocities committed against Azerbaijanis.
This crime, instigated by Armenians, failed to break the Azerbaijani people’s will or their quest for freedom. Ultimately, they achieved independence, never to lose it again. With Heydar Aliyev’s return to Azerbaijan’s leadership in 1994, the events of January 20 received a political and legal assessment, and the crime’s perpetrators were identified. January 20 was declared the Day of National Sorrow.
Today, Azerbaijan honors the memory of the January 20 martyrs with deep respect, and the state ensures the welfare of their families. President Ilham Aliyev focuses on social protection and pension provision for those disabled in the events. Consistent measures are taken to support the martyrs’ families, with improvements in their living conditions and standard of living. The souls of Heydar Aliyev and all martyrs are at peace, as the Azerbaijani army ended the 30-year occupation of its lands in 2020. The successful anti-terrorist actions in September 2023 fully restored Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, with the tricolor flag flying across all territories. Creative projects continue rapidly in the liberated areas, supported by the Great Return program, allowing more than 30,000 people to reside there.
The complete restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty avenges the blood of all martyrs, including those from January 20. As a result, the Azerbaijani people commemorate the 35th anniversary of the tragedy with a sense of pride.