By : JD News Editor
Jordan Daily – Azerbaijan on January 20 marks the 36th anniversary of the “Black January” tragedy of 1990, a pivotal event that helped shape the country’s path to independence, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Jordan, Shahin Abdullayev, said in a statement received by Jordan Daily.
In the late hours of Jan. 20, 1990, Soviet armed forces entered the Azerbaijani capital Baku without warning, killing 147 civilians, injuring more than 600 people and arresting hundreds, Abdullayev said. Victims included women, children and the elderly. The crackdown aimed to suppress Azerbaijan’s national liberation movement and protests against Armenia’s claims over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
“Rather than breaking the will of the Azerbaijani people, these events strengthened national unity and accelerated the struggle for independence,” Abdullayev said, describing the tragedy as the “true birth of the republic.” Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991, becoming one of the first former Soviet republics to do so.
Each year, hundreds of thousands gather at Baku’s Martyrs’ Alley to commemorate the victims. The late president Heydar Aliyev formally recognized those killed as the “Martyrs of January 20,” cementing the date as a national day of remembrance. Despite strict media censorship at the time, the events were later documented by international media outlets.
Abdullayev said Azerbaijan has since overcome major political and territorial challenges, including the occupation of about 20% of its territory and the displacement of nearly one million people. He highlighted the country’s political and economic reforms, the adoption of a new constitution in 1995, and the establishment of a market-based economy.
Azerbaijan regained control of large parts of its territory during a 44-day war with Armenia in 2020, followed by a 2023 operation that restored full sovereignty, he said. In August 2025, Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed a peace agreement under U.S. mediation, marking what Abdullayev described as a new chapter for the South Caucasus.
He said Azerbaijan is now focusing on rebuilding the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, including infrastructure development, demining efforts, smart cities, renewable energy projects and the return of displaced residents. More than 73,000 people have returned to the region by 2025, according to the statement.
Abdullayev also praised Jordan’s longstanding support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that Jordan was among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991. He said bilateral relations continue to deepen, highlighted by the fourth meeting of the Azerbaijan- Jordan Joint Committee held in Baku in November 2025.
“The memory of Black January remains a symbol of sacrifice and courage,” Abdullayev said. “Azerbaijan today stands independent and sovereign, honoring those who gave their lives for its freedom.”