Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

A state-wide moment of silence was observed for the Black January victims at 12:00 (local time) across Azerbaijan on the day of national mourning on January 20.

Ships, cars, and trains sounded sirens throughout the country to remember victims of the January 20, 1990 tragedy.

Commemorative events have been arranged in all cities and towns of the country, with the state flag lowered on all buildings in accordance with a relevant plan of action.

Baku residents have been visiting the Alley of Martyrs since early hours of January 20 to pay tribute to Azerbaijan`s valiant sons and daughters.

On January 20, 26,000 strong Soviet troops entered the Azerbaijani capital Baku from several directions, invading the city in a desperate, brutal and yet futile attempt to strangle the growing independence movement and to prevent the fall of the Soviet Communist regime in Azerbaijan and punish ordinary people who had rallied on the streets to voice their legitimate protest against the violation of their homeland's territorial integrity.

On that tragic night, tanks and armored vehicles crushed everything they met on the streets of Baku, and soldiers opened fire ruthlessly. Not only the people on the streets, but also those on the buses and in their homes were shot dead. The Soviet soldiers also fired at ambulances and the medical staff who rushed to help the wounded.

Some 137 people were killed, 611 were wounded, 841 were illegally arrested, and five went missing as a result of the intrusion of troops into Baku and other regions of the country.

The 20th of January, 1990 is marked in the modern history of Azerbaijan as one of the most tragic days of the country, and at the same time as a heroic page.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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