Black January refers to the attacks and massacres carried out by the Soviet Union in and around Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on the night of January 19-20, 1990. During this operation, conducted by 26,000 Soviet troops using heavy weapons and tanks, civilians were attacked, resulting in the massacre of many people, including women, children, and the elderly. Hundreds were wounded.
“Black January” January 20, 1990 - Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Romania
This event is considered a significant turning point in Azerbaijan’s history. Black January shattered the Azerbaijani people’s trust in the Soviet Union and accelerated the struggle for independence. It is also regarded as an indication of the Soviet Union’s oppressive policies and increasing loss of control during its dissolution process. This tragedy deepened political and social instability in the South Caucasus region.
Background
In the late 1980s, as the Soviet Union entered a period of dissolution, ethnic and political tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia escalated. Armenia’s demands to separate the Nagorno-Karabakh region from Azerbaijan and the increasing pressure on Azerbaijanis intensified conflicts between the two peoples. The Armenian administration accelerated its attempts to annex Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to widespread social unrest in the region.
From 1987 onwards, Azerbaijanis living in Armenia faced systematic oppression, persecution, and forced displacement. Around 300,000 Azerbaijanis were expelled from Armenia and forced to settle mainly in Baku and surrounding areas. During this period, the Azerbaijani people strongly reacted to both territorial losses and ethnic cleansing.
Demands for independence in Azerbaijan gained momentum during this time. In 1989-1990, mass protests were held in Baku against Armenian claims and Soviet rule. Azadlıq (Freedom) Square became a center where tens of thousands of people called for independence. Protesters demanded Azerbaijan’s secession from the Soviet Union and the restoration of national sovereignty.
These protests were perceived as a threat by the Soviet administration and were met with suppression. The determination and mass resistance of the people further escalated tensions, prompting Soviet leadership to take harsh measures. This process set the stage for the Black January tragedy.
The Events
On the night of January 19-20, 1990, under orders from Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, 26,000 soldiers, along with heavy weapons and tanks, were deployed in and around Baku. Before the operation, Soviet forces cut off state television and radio broadcasts, preventing the public from accessing information.
Troops launched attacks on civilians, killing 131 people, including women, children, and the elderly, while wounding 744 others. Ambulances and civilian vehicles were targeted, and both public and private property was destroyed. Soviet forces also cut electricity to hospitals, preventing medical treatment for the wounded.
The attacks extended beyond Baku. On January 25 in Neftchala and January 26 in Lankaran, Soviet troops killed a total of eight people. The destruction was widespread, severely endangering civilian security.
During the operation, 841 civilians were arrested, 112 of whom were sent to prisons in various cities of the Soviet Union. Soviet troops carried out large-scale destruction of homes, vehicles, and public buildings. According to Human Rights Watch reports, these attacks demonstrated the use of disproportionate force to suppress civilian resistance.
National and International Reactions
Black January triggered strong reactions both in Azerbaijan and internationally. On January 21, 1990, Heydar Aliyev visited Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representation in Moscow and strongly condemned the Soviet leadership. Aliyev stated that with this operation, the Soviet Union had violated the Azerbaijani people's legal, democratic, and human rights and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
Human Rights Watch, in its report on Black January, emphasized that the Soviet army’s attacks constituted collective punishment. The report stated that the level of violence used was disproportionate to Azerbaijan’s civilian resistance.
These events completely eroded Azerbaijani trust in the Soviet administration. The people viewed the Soviet Union’s attack on its own citizens as an attempt to suppress the independence movement. After the massacre, demands for independence grew stronger, and opposition to Soviet rule intensified.
On March 29, 1994, the Azerbaijani National Assembly officially declared Black January a “military aggression” and a “crime of the totalitarian communist regime.” The resolution described the Soviet army’s operation in Baku and surrounding areas as an attempt to suppress the Azerbaijani people’s national identity and struggle for independence. This decision was an important step in recognizing the political and legal dimensions of the events.
The Memory of Black January
Black January holds a deep place in Azerbaijan’s collective memory, and several symbolic steps have been taken to commemorate this tragedy. Following the events, the Martyrs' Lane (Şəhidlər Xiyabanı) was established on one of Baku’s highest points to honor those who lost their lives. This site has become an important place for remembering not only the victims of Black January but also those who died in Azerbaijan’s struggle for independence.
Every year on January 20, Azerbaijan holds nationwide commemorations for the victims of Black January. The day is recognized as a National Day of Mourning. During these ceremonies, flags across the country are lowered to half-mast, and people visit the graves of the martyrs.
