20 years since Khojalu operation

 February 25, 2012 - 14:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - It was already two years that the territory of Nagorno Karabakh Republic proclaimed on September 2, 1991 stood siege by the time of neutralization of weapon emplacements in Khojalu. It was necessary to unblock the only airport of the republic located in Azerbaijani-populated village of Khojalu to save the starving population by supplying foodstuffs and extending medial assistance. Understanding the vital importance of the Khojalu airport to the NKR population, the then President of Azerbaijan Ayaz Mütallibov ordered to destroy the airport runway and equipment. However, the order remained unfulfilled.

The necessity to launch an offensive on Khojalu was sparked by the existence of weaponry there and the order to save Karabakh’s starving population. NKR leadership was obliged to halt the planned operation of Azerbaijani armed forces aimed at Armenia’s province center Askeran and, certainly, Stepanakert.

Military operation by Armenian troops to neutralize weapon emplacements in Khojalu was no surprise for Azerbaijani authorities. The Azerbaijani side was informed of the plan on TV two months prior to the assault.

The Armenian side warned of the looming attack, however, no attempts were made by Azerbaijan to draw peaceful civilians out of the town.

By the start of the assault, part of Khojalu’s civilian population left the settlement, with 1000-2500 people left in late February, 1992. On February 15, the Armenian side delivered a white flag ultimatum to leave Khojalu.

At 11 p.m. NKR defense forces opened artillery fire at military targets and positions of Azerbaijani forces, with the Azeri succumbing to panic. However, the opposite side showed no serious resistance. Observers of Memorial Human Rights Center confirmed the fact of artillery bombardment and not the fact of stubborn street fighting that might claim large number of victims.

Azeri statements on alleged mass destruction of Azerbaijani civilians in Khojalu have been utterly denied. Moreover, the radio intercepts of Azerbaijani militaries in Aghdam published later in Azerbaijani media outlets are also a vivid proof of the above mentioned.

Part of the population immediately following the launch of the offensive started leaving Khojalu for Aghdam.

Armenian military units did the utmost to avoid unnecessary killings among the Khojalu’s civilian population. Elman Mamedov, Mayor of Khojalu, was also aware of the existence of the corridor.

“We knew that the corridor was left as an exit for the peaceful population,” he said.

According to Memorial report, about 200-300 people were hidden in basements in Khojalu. They were later moved to Stepanakert and provided with food and medicine. The Armenian side voiced readiness to let them off in exchange for its hostages.

13 captives of Armenian nationality including a child and a woman were found and released following the Khojalu military operation.

After completion of the operation NKR detachments of Artsakh rescue service found 11 civilians, including a child and a woman in Khojalu and its surroundings.

Thus, all rumors and allegations on mass killings of civilians in Khojalu are completely unfounded. On the other hand, the fact of murder of number of people arouses no doubts. Where and how were hundreds of people killed? The answer to the question is conveyed in the truth and lie about February events of 1992. (Source: Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan, Hayk Demoyan “Khojalu affair. Special folder”)