Baku: Thirty-four years have passed since the genocide committed by Armenians in the Azerbaijani city of Khojaly, APA reports. On the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed units, with the assistance of Russia's 366th Motor Rifle Regiment, occupied the city of Khojaly and committed genocide against the civilian population of Azerbaijanis living there.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, on February 25, 1992, Armenian armed formations, supported by armored vehicles and personnel of the 366th Motor Rifle Regiment stationed in the city of Khankendi since the Soviet era, launched an assault on the city of Khojaly. Approximately 2,500 residents of the besieged city attempted to flee toward Aghdam to save their lives. However, Armenian forces lying in ambush opened fire on the civilians.

The tragedy resulted in the death of 613 Khojaly residents, including 63 children, 106 women, and 70 elderly people. Eight families were completely annihilated. Twenty-five children lost both parents, while 130 children lost one parent. A total of 487 people were wounded, including 76 children. Additionally, 1,275 people were taken hostage, with the fate of 150 hostages, including 68 women and 26 children, still unknown.

Official estimates indicate that more than 140 million manats (approximately 170 million US dollars) in damages were inflicted on the Azerbaijani state and its citizens due to the destruction and looting by illegal Armenian armed formations. In memory of the victims, a monument was erected in Baku's Khatai district in 1993. A special resolution titled 'On February 26 - Khojaly Genocide Day' was adopted by the Milli Majlis in 1994.

Since February 2009, the 'Justice for Khojaly' campaign has been raising international awareness about the tragedy. The campaign, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, seeks to ensure moral and political recognition of the tragedy at the international level. The campaign is coordinated through the website www.justiceforkhojaly.org.

The anniversary of the Khojaly genocide is commemorated annually in Azerbaijan and many countries worldwide. Azerbaijani embassies and diaspora organizations hold memorial ceremonies, conferences, photo exhibitions, and documentary film screenings to remember the victims and educate the public about the genocide.

The national legislative bodies of nearly 20 states, along with 24 U.S. states, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Organization of Turkic States, have condemned the massacre and recognized it as an act of genocide and a crime against humanity.

In September 2023, the Azerbaijani Army cleared the city of Khojaly of separatists during local anti-terror measures in Karabakh. President Ilham Aliyev raised the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khojaly on October 15, 2023, symbolizing that the victims' blood has not been left unavenged. The return of local residents to Khojaly and its surrounding villages has begun.