Türkiye honors Khojaly Massacre victims, calls for global recognition

Türkiye held solemn ceremonies this week to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre, a tragic event in Azerbaijan’s history that claimed hundreds of civilian lives. The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement paying tribute to the victims of the massacre, which occurred in the town of Khojaly in the Karabakh region on February 26, 1992.

"We remember with mercy and respect the precious memory of our innocent Azerbaijani brothers who were massacred in Khojaly exactly 33 years ago, and we carry the pain of dear Azerbaijan in our hearts," the ministry said in a post on the social media platform X.

The massacre unfolded during the First Karabakh War, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Armenian forces, supported by heavy artillery, tanks, and an infantry regiment, launched a two-hour offensive on Khojaly, resulting in the deaths of 613 Azerbaijani civilians, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly people. According to Azerbaijani data, 487 individuals were seriously injured, 1,275 were taken captive, and 150 remain missing. The attack also annihilated eight entire families.

Khojaly became one of the most harrowing symbols of the First Karabakh War, during which Armenian forces occupied Nagorno-Karabakh—an internationally recognized part of Azerbaijan—and seven adjacent regions, including Khojaly. In 2020, Azerbaijan reclaimed several of these territories during a 44-day conflict, marking the end of nearly three decades of Armenian occupation.

On Tuesday, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Khojaly Memorial Museum in Ankara's Kızılcahamam district, with participation from Azerbaijani Embassy representatives and Turkish officials. A similar commemoration took place on Monday at the Turkish Parliament. Türkiye, which has long supported Azerbaijan, was among the first nations to recognize the Khojaly Massacre as a massacre, reaffirming its solidarity under the shared motto, "two states, one nation."

Calls for justice and accountability

Despite Türkiye's recognition, the massacre has not been widely acknowledged as genocide by the international community. This stands in contrast to global recognition of Armenian claims regarding World War I events as genocide—a classification Türkiye disputes. On the anniversary of Khojaly, Azerbaijani Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva called for international recognition of the massacre as genocide and for accountability for those responsible.

In her statement, Aliyeva condemned the massacre as one of the most horrific events in modern history, describing it as part of Armenia's broader policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis. She emphasized that the massacre violated international laws, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the Genocide Convention, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Azerbaijani Parliament officially designated February 26 as the Day of the Khojaly Genocide in 1994, following an initiative by the country’s late national leader, Heydar Aliyev.

Efforts to raise global awareness of the massacre have been led by the “Justice for Khojaly” campaign, spearheaded by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. To date, 18 countries, 24 U.S. states, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) have either recognized the massacre as genocide or condemned the killings. Aliyeva also pointed to recent findings from forensic excavations in territories reclaimed by Azerbaijan during the 2020 Second Karabakh War and subsequent operations in 2023. These excavations uncovered new mass graves, further evidencing atrocities committed during Armenia’s occupation.

Aliyeva criticized Armenia for failing to provide information on the whereabouts of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing during the First Karabakh War. She also highlighted Armenian officials’ past statements and writings, including those from former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, as well as testimonies from individuals accused of war crimes, as evidence of the deliberate nature of the massacre.

In her appeal, the ombudsman urged international organizations—including the United Nations, European Union, and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe—to formally recognize the Khojaly Massacre as genocide and ensure justice for the victims.

Survivors recount the horrors

Among the survivors of the massacre is 70-year-old Selim Musayev, who vividly recalled the harrowing events of that night. Musayev, his elderly mother, and his two sons were forced to flee their home as Armenian forces launched a brutal assault on February 25, 1992. "They began shelling the town with artillery fire. We saw houses burning, especially those of Ahıska Turks. Most of them were killed," Musayev told Anadolu Agency.

Seeking refuge in a nearby forest, Musayev and his neighbors endured hours of freezing temperatures and knee-deep snow. Tragically, they were ambushed by Armenian forces. "They opened fire, and my son Ramil was injured. Eventually, around 70 of us were captured," Musayev recounted. Civilians, including Musayev’s family, were taken to a farm, while young men in military uniforms were separated and never seen again.

Musayev described the inhumane treatment they endured in captivity, including beatings and constant insults. His son Ramil suffered severe injuries that continue to affect his health. After a month of captivity, Musayev was released in a prisoner exchange.

Three decades later, Musayev witnessed the liberation of Khojaly in September 2023. "We cheered like children. My prayers to see Khojaly free were finally answered," he said. Now, he eagerly awaits the completion of new housing projects in Khojaly, which will allow survivors to return to their homeland.

A shared memory and a call for solidarity

The Khojaly Massacre remains a deeply painful chapter for Azerbaijan, one that Türkiye continues to honor with its unwavering support. As survivors recount their stories and officials push for global recognition, the memory of Khojaly endures, serving as a reminder of the need for justice and international solidarity.