DAYS OF SORROW
Kuwait’s Al-Vasat newspaper writes about 20 January tragedy
Baku, January 22 (AZERTAC). Kuwait’s Al-Vasat newspaper has posted an article highlighting the 20 January tragedy. Written by Al-Rashidi, a teacher, the article says a number of innocent people were killed, wounded and arrested as a result of the tragedy perpetrated by the soviet troops. The author notes that 20 January 1990 is the Azerbaijani people’s heroic page of fighting for freedom.
“On 20 January though the Azerbaijani people suffered military, moral and political aggression, they displayed their ability to maintain the traditions of historical heroism and resist the cruelest attacks for the sake of the freedom and independence, even becoming martyrs. The sons of the motherland perished on 20 January 1990 while defending the freedom and independence of Azerbaijan and by their bravery made a vivid history in the chronicle of heroism of the country. And today the Azerbaijanis are proud of those who are ready to perish for the sake of the people’s national identity.”
The newspaper stresses that “late at that night 26,000 Soviet Special Forces called “Alfa”, without declaring state of emergency, entered to Baku and committed ferocity action against innocent Azerbaijani people. The invasion was launched at the midnight and committed with brutality and no mercy for children, women and elderly. On that tragic night of January 19, Azerbaijan was isolated from the world. The USSR State Security Committee's "Alfa" group exploded the energy block of the Azerbaijani television to stop it from broadcasting, and the press were silenced. People were not aware of the emergency situation announced in Baku and all those on the streets were killed brutally.”
The author underlines that 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.