Day of Remembrance for Victims of Khojaly Massacre in Azerbaijan Date in the current year: February 26, 2024

The Nagorno-Karabakh War was an ethnic conflict that began in 1988 in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the ethnic Armenians who constituted the main population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Khojaly massacre occurred on February 25-26, 1992, in the town of Khojaly located not far from Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. Ethnic Armenian armed forces, reportedly backed up by Russian 366th Motor Rifle Regiment, entered the city, opened fire and killed several hundred civilians.

The number of victims varies in different sources. It was 200+ according to Human Right Watch, 485 according to Azerbaijani parliament figure, and 613 according to Azerbaijani government claim. A lot of people were forced to leave the town. Many organizations recognize this massacre as genocide.

Day of Remembrance for Victims of Khojaly Massacre is observed annually on February 26. On this day, solemn remembrance ceremonies are held across Azerbaijan.