Participants of Shusha Global Media Forum Visit Khojaly, Witness Reconstruction and Remember Tragedy
Khojaly, The Gulf Observer: Delegates attending the third Shusha Global Media Forum under the theme “Digital Pathways: Strengthening Information and Media Resilience in the Age of AI” visited the city of Khojaly following their earlier stop in Aghdam, as part of a broader itinerary showcasing the realities and revival of Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.
During the visit, forum participants were briefed on the grave atrocities committed during the 30-year Armenian occupation, including the tragic Khojaly massacre, one of the most harrowing events in Azerbaijan’s modern history. They were also informed about the successful anti-terror measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in September 2023, which restored full national sovereignty in the region.
Delegates learned in detail about the events of February 25–26, 1992, when Armenian armed forces launched a brutal assault on Khojaly. The attack resulted in the death of 613 civilians, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly individuals. The massacre wiped out eight families, left 25 children orphaned of both parents, and 130 children with one deceased parent. A total of 487 people, including 76 children, were severely wounded, while 1,275 civilians were taken hostage. The fate of 150 individuals remains unknown to this day. The Khojaly genocide continues to resonate deeply in the collective memory of the Azerbaijani nation as a symbol of national tragedy and resilience.
Participants were also presented with updates on Azerbaijan’s large-scale post-liberation reconstruction program, which includes the complete rebuilding of Khojaly and surrounding areas. Efforts are underway to restore housing, infrastructure, public services, and cultural heritage, aiming to transform the region into a symbol of revival and hope.
Significantly, former internally displaced residents have already returned to Khojaly city and three villages within the district, marking a poignant milestone in the country’s Great Return policy and reaffirming the commitment to rebuild lives, communities, and a peaceful future.
The visit to Khojaly offered the international media representatives a first-hand view of both the enduring scars of conflict and the determination of the Azerbaijani state and people to heal and rebuild their homeland.
