Baku Pogrom: Armenians Flee Azerbaijan's Capital

A massive anti-Armenian pogrom erupted in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, resulting in dozens of deaths and the forced evacuation of virtually the entire Armenian population of the city.

The Violence

Starting January 13, organized groups:

• Systematically attacked Armenian neighborhoods
• Used lists to identify Armenian apartments
• Killed at least 90 people (unofficial estimates higher)
• Looted and burned Armenian property

Organized Nature

Evidence of coordination:

• Attackers had address lists
• Violence spread methodically by district
• Local authorities failed to intervene
• Radio broadcasts inflamed tensions

Soviet Military Response

January 20: Soviet troops entered Baku

• Claimed to restore order
• Clashed with Azerbaijani nationalists
• “Black January” - over 130 Azerbaijanis killed
• Further radicalized Azerbaijan

Mass Exodus

• Pre-pogrom: ~200,000 Armenians in Baku
• Evacuated: Nearly entire population
• Method: Military aircraft and ships
• Result: Centuries-old community eliminated

Historical Significance

The Baku pogrom:

• Completed ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Azerbaijan
• Destroyed cosmopolitan character of Baku
• Marked point of no return in conflict
• Remains deeply traumatic for Armenian survivors

Aftermath

• Armenian cultural sites destroyed or repurposed
• Property confiscated by state or occupied
• No accountability for perpetrators
• Set pattern for ethnic homogenization