President Erdogan commemorates victims of Khojaly Massacre

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan honored the victims of the Khojaly Massacre on its 33rd anniversary, reaffirming Türkiye’s solidarity with Azerbaijan.

Erdogan’s statement on Khojaly anniversary

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Erdogan paid tribute to the 613 Azerbaijanis killed on February 26, 1992, during the Khojaly Massacre carried out by Armenian forces in the Karabakh region.

“We will never forget this pain, and we will always carry the sorrow within us. On the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre, I commemorate our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters who were brutally killed. I extend my condolences to the Azerbaijani people, with whom we stand united in both good and bad times,” Erdogan stated.

Turkish officials remember Khojaly victims

AK Party Deputy Chairman Kursad Zorlu also paid tribute to the victims, emphasizing Türkiye’s continued support for Azerbaijan.

“On the anniversary of the brutal massacre in Khojaly, we once again stand by our Azerbaijani brothers in their rightful struggle. We believe that Karabakh will now be a symbol of peace, prosperity, and regional cooperation,” Zorlu said.

Memorial events in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan commemorated the massacre with a series of memorial events in Baku, where thousands gathered at the Mother’s Cry Monument to honor the victims.

• President Ilham Aliyev led the official ceremony.
• Citizens placed carnations at the memorial site.
• Survivors and families of victims attended, some visibly emotional.

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Baku, Birol Akgun, also visited the monument alongside Turkish diplomatic and institutional representatives. “The massacre remains a dark mark on human history. We share Azerbaijan’s sorrow and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the Türkiye-Azerbaijan brotherhood,” Akgun stated.

Azerbaijan’s ongoing quest for Justice

Azerbaijan continues to seek international recognition of the Khojaly Massacre as a war crime, urging global institutions to take action.

• Azerbaijani Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva has called on the U.N., OSCE, and the European Union to prosecute those responsible.
• Letters were sent to international human rights organizations, urging stronger legal responses to hold perpetrators accountable.

The events of February 26, 1992

During the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenian forces attacked the town of Khojaly with support from Russia’s 366th Motorized Regiment. The assault resulted in the deaths of:

• 613 civilians, including 106 women, 70 elderly, and 63 children.
• 487 people were severely wounded.
• 1,275 Azerbaijanis were taken captive, with 150 still missing to this day