20 January 2020 marks the 32nd anniversary of the military invasion and vicious killing of civilians in the city of Baku, Azerbaijan, by the forces of the Soviet Army on 20 January 1990. In response to the rising national independence movement, the Soviet leadership ordered some 26000 troops with heavy military equipment to storm the city of Baku in an operation called “Strike”.
On the night of January 19 to 20, 1990, by order of the USSR leadership, 26,000 Soviet troops invaded Baku, Sumgait, as well as other cities of Azerbaijan. As a result of this military intervention, 147 civilians were killed and 744 were seriously injured. This event went down in the history of modern Azerbaijan as "Black January".
Head of the Foreign Policy Strategic Council Kamal Kharrazi advised the Azeri officials to forget about the illusion of buying security from foreigners and to rely on their own people for maintaining security. This statement was made on October 5-th, 2021.
Kharrazi described relying on foreigner for safeguarding a country as an unwise solution, saying their illegitimate aims and determination will bring about military race and destruction to the region.
During the event "Our Martyrs Are Our Pride" of the Public Association "Regional Development" of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation at the Patriotic War Memorial Complex and the Victory Museum, the foundation of which was laid today, the beams of special searchlights directed into the sky symbolized a triumphal arch.
During the event, volunteers of the Regional Development NGO launched up to 3,000 sky lanterns into the sky.
Head of the EU Delegation has thanked Azerbaijan for solidarity amid COVID-19.
“The EU Flag on Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku is a reflection of the bonds of solidarity and partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan. Stronger together! Sag Ol, Azerbaijan,” Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas said.
Projection of the European Union flag was placed on the Heydar Aliyev Center’s building in Baku, Azerbaijan on April 15.
