Examine individual changes

'{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2020}} {{short description|Attacks on Ganja, Azerbaijan in October 2020}} {{Infobox civilian attack | title = 2020 Ganja ballistic missile attacks | partof = [[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war]] | image = Results of Ganja Attacks (October, 2020) 07.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = Ruins in Ganja after the attacks. | map = {{Location map many | Azerbaijan Ganja | width = 250px | caption = | label = | label_size = | mark1 = Map dot 00.svg | mark2 = Map dot 00.svg | mark3 = Map dot 04.svg | mark4 = Map dot 08.svg | mark5 = Map dot 12.svg | coordinates1= {{Coord|40.6650|N|46.3659|E}} | coordinates2= {{Coord|40.6878|N|46.3701|E}} | coordinates3= {{Coord|40.6800|N|46.3508|E}} | coordinates4= {{Coord|40.7010|N|46.3671|E}} | coordinates5= {{Coord|40.6912|N|46.3550|E}} }} | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = Locations of the ballistic missile attacks<br /> [[File:Map dot 00.svg|15px]] First attack <br /> [[File:Map dot 04.svg|15px]] Second attack <br /> [[File:Map dot 08.svg|15px]] Third attack <br /> [[File:Map dot 12.svg|15px]] Fourth attack | location = [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]], [[Azerbaijan]] | date = *4 October 2020 * 8 October 2020 * 10 October 2020 * 17 October 2020 | timezone = [[UTC+04:00|GMT+4]] | type = Ballistic missile attack | fatalities = 32<ref name="hrw" /> | injuries = 125 | perpetrators = * [[Armed Forces of Armenia|Armenian Armed Forces]] * [[Artsakh Defence Army]] | weapons = {{Unbulleted list| * [[OTR-21 Tochka]] {{small|(first and second attacks)}} * [[Scud missile]] {{small|(third and fourth attacks)}} }} }} {{Campaignbox 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war}} The '''Ganja ballistic missile attacks''' ({{Lang-az|Gəncə bombalanmaları}}) comprise four separate ballistic missile attacks on the city of [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]], [[Azerbaijan]] in October 2020, during the [[2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war]].<ref name="bbc">{{Cite web |date=4 October 2020 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Major cities hit as heavy fighting continues |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54407436 |access-date=2020-10-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |quote=The self-proclaimed authorities there said they hit Ganja's military airport after Azerbaijani forces shelled the region's capital, Stepanakert...They said they had acted after Stepanakert was hit by missiles and alleged the Ganja facility had been used by Azerbaijani forces to launch attacks on civilian areas.}}</ref><ref name="Mediamax.am">{{Cite web |title=Artsakh President: The strike on Ganja was a warning |url=https://mediamax.am/en/news/karabakh/39851/ |access-date=4 October 2020 |website=Mediamax.am |quote=Harutyunyan has underlined that Azerbaijan was the first to violate the international law by targeting civilian population.}} The first attack took place on 4 October, killing one civilian and wounding over 30.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54407436 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Major cities hit as heavy fighting continues |date=4 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[BBC]] }}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/azerbaijans-no-2-city-targeted-fighting-armenia-azerbaijan-armenia-nagornokarabakh-territory-city-b778901.html |title=Azerbaijan's No. 2 city targeted in fighting with Armenia |date=4 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |work=[[The Independent]] }}</ref> The second attack occurred on 8 October; no casualties were reported.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3312771.html |title=Azerbaijan's Ganja under fire once again by Armenian troops |date=8 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=en |agency=[[Trend News Agency]] }}</ref> The third attack happened on 11 October. According to Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, at least seven people died and 33 were injured, including children.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20201011-armenia-azerbaijan-continue-to-levy-charges-of-civilian-strikes-after-nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenia, Azerbaijan trade accusations as civilian areas hit despite truce |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[France24]]}}</ref> The fourth attack occurred on 17 October. According to initial reports, fifteen civilians were killed and fifty-five injured in the attack.<ref name="trendcasualities" /><ref name="russianciv" /> Infrastructure was also destroyed, including apartment blocks and other buildings, and vehicles. The Azerbaijani government described the third attack "an act of genocide".<ref name="genocide" /> == Background == {{main|2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war}} On 27 September 2020, clashes broke out in the disputed [[Nagorno-Karabakh|Nagorno-Karabakh region]], which is ''[[de facto]]'' controlled by [[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]], but ''[[de jure]]'' part of [[Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54314341 |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan fight over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh |date=27 September 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[BBC]] }}</ref> [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]], the second largest city of Azerbaijan, is home to a population of 335 thousand people;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.az/source/demoqraphy/ap/az/2_4.xls |title=Azərbaycan Respublikasının şəhər və rayonlarının ərazisi, əhalisinin sayı və sıxlığı |trans-title=Territory, population and density of cities and districts of the Republic of Azerbaijan |publisher=[[State Statistics Committee]] |date=1 January 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 }}</ref> it is situated {{convert|97|km|miles}} north of the [[Nagorno-Karabakh Line of Contact]] and {{convert|241|km|miles}} east of the [[Armenia–Azerbaijan border|Armenian-Azerbaijani state border]].<ref>{{Cite web |first=Seymur |last=Kazimov |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/15/ganja-attack |title=Hours after truce agreed, children became orphans in Azerbaijan |date=15 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Al Jazeera]] }}</ref> On 27 September 2020, Azerbaijan began firing [[cluster bombs]] and [[missiles]] against civilian areas in the [[2020 bombardment of Stepanakert|bombardment of Stepanakert]].<ref name="bbc" /><ref name="Mediamax.am" /><ref name="telegraph" /><ref name="mfa.am" /> On 4th of October, after the first attack, [[Arayik Harutyunyan]], the self-proclaimed [[Republic of Artsakh|Republic of Artsakh's]] president, issued a warning to the Azerbaijani army and civilians for the latter to leave Ganja, claiming that military facilities were permanently located in the city.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://eurasianet.org/armenia-azerbaijan-fighting-expands-far-beyond-the-front-lines|title=Armenia-Azerbaijan fighting expands far beyond the front lines |website=eurasianet.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54407436|title=Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Major cities hit as heavy fighting continues|date=4 October 2020|via=www.bbc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mediamax.am/en/news/karabakh/40289/|title=Armenian MFA warns of "adequate response"|website=mediamax.am}}</ref> On 5 October, spokesman of self-proclaimed [[Republic of Artsakh|Republic of Artsakh's]] president, Vahram Poghosyan echoing the earlier warning of Arayik of Harutyunian, made a statement saying that "A few more days and I am afraid that even archaeologists will not be able to find the place of Ganja. Get sober before it is too late."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.1lurer.am/en/2020/10/05/A-few-more-days-and-even-archaeologists-will-not-be-able-to-find-the-place-of-Ganja-Poghosyan/328058 |title=A few more days and even archaeologists will not be able to find the place of Ganja. Get sober before it is too late. Poghosyan |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=5 October 2020 |website=1lurer.am |publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref> According to [[Human Rights Watch]], threats of attacks on unspecified targets over an unspecified period, in a language few Azerbaijani civilians can read, were not effective warnings.<ref name="hrw">{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/11/armenia-unlawful-rocket-missile-strikes-azerbaijan |title=Armenia: Unlawful Rocket, Missile Strikes on Azerbaijan |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=11 December 2020 |website=hrw.org |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] |access-date=11 December 2020 }}</ref> Trilateral talks on the conflict between the foreign ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan commenced on 9 October 2020 in [[Moscow]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/video/20201009-armenian-azerbaijani-officials-to-hold-truce-talks-in-moscow |title=Armenian, Azerbaijani officials to hold truce talks in Moscow |date=9 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[France24]] }}</ref> [[Sergey Lavrov]], [[Zohrab Mnatsakanyan]], and [[Jeyhun Bayramov]] participated in the talks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20201009-moscow-hosts-armenia-azerbaijan-talks-as-fighting-continues-over-nagorno-karabakh |title=Moscow hosts Armenia-Azerbaijan talks as fighting continues over Nagorno-Karabakh |date=15 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[BBC]] }}</ref> Lavrov issued a joint statement following ten hours of talks that ended at 03:00 local time,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/0b18047e-3f43-4ebe-af44-db29c8f2810c |title=Armenia and Azerbaijan agree ceasefire |date=10 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Financial Times]] }}</ref> confirming that a humanitarian ceasefire would come into force at midday.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/10/armenia-azerbaijan-agree-ceasefire-from-midnight-lavrov |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan accuse each other of violating ceasefire |date=10 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Al Jazeera]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/10/azerbaijan-conflict-ceasefire-in-nagorno-karabakh-after-moscow-deal.html |title=Shaky ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh after Moscow deal |date=10 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[CNBC]] }}</ref> Minutes after the truce was due to commence, the two parties blamed each other for violating the ceasefire.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Aida |last=Sultanova |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/azerbaijan-armenia-report-shelling-of-cities-despite-truce/2020/10/11/f620184e-0bb2-11eb-b404-8d1e675ec701_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019053214/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/azerbaijan-armenia-report-shelling-of-cities-despite-truce/2020/10/11/f620184e-0bb2-11eb-b404-8d1e675ec701_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2020 |title=Azerbaijan, Armenia report shelling of cities despite truce |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |work=[[The Washington Post]] }}</ref> Azerbaijan underlined that the ceasefire was temporary and emphasized that it would not renege on its goal to retake control of the region.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Georgi |last=Kantchev |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/armenia-azerbaijan-trade-accusations-of-shelling-despite-truce-11602427364 |title=Armenia, Azerbaijan Trade Accusations of Shelling Despite Truce |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]] }}</ref> == Attacks == === First attack === {{external media|float = rigt|video1={{YouTube|ETwvBpXv0Pc|Footage shows shelling in city of Ganja}}}} Ganja was first hit by a missile on 4 October.<ref name="auto1" /><ref name="auto2" /> Artsakh denied targeting residential areas, but rather military targets, especially [[Ganja International Airport]],<ref name="artsakh1attack">{{Cite web |first=Bethan |last=McKernan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/04/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-accuses-armenia-of-rocket-attack |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of rocket attack |date=5 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |work=[[The Washington Post]] }}</ref> and [[Arayik Harutyunyan]], the president of the ''de facto'' [[Republic of Artsakh]], claimed that military facilities permanently located there had been targeting civilians in [[Stepanakert]] using [[Polonez (MRL)|Polonez]] and [[BM-30 Smerch|Smerch]] missiles;<ref name="auto4"/> Azerbaijan denied reports of there being military targets in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/Azerbaijan's-MOD:-Information-spread-by-Armenians-about-alleged-shelling-of-military-facilities-in-Ganja-city-is-false-332022 |title=Azerbaijan's MOD: Information spread by Armenians about alleged shelling of military facilities in Ganja city is false |website=APA.az |date=4 October 2020 |access-date=4 October 2020 |language=en |quote=The information spread by the Armenian side about the alleged shelling of military facilities in Ganja city is provocative and false, Ministry of Defense told APA. As a result of enemy fire, civilians, civilian infrastructure, and ancient historical buildings were harmed. }}</ref> Subsequently, both a correspondent reporting from the scene for a Russian media outlet and the airport director denied that the airport, which had not been operational since March due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan|COVID-19 pandemic]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Война в Карабахе. Обстрел Степанакерта и удар по Гяндже – Новости на русском языке|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006141402/https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944|archive-date=2020-10-06|access-date=2020-10-04|website=BBC News Русская служба|language=ru-RU}}</ref> had been hit while an [[Irish people|Irish]] journalist, [[Orla Guerin]] visited the scene and found no evidence of any military target there.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|date=11 October 2020|title=Armenia Azerbaijan: Reports of fresh shelling dent ceasefire hopes|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54488386|access-date=11 October 2020|work=BBC News|language=en}}</ref> According to [[Human Rights Watch]], two residential buildings, one of them a multi-family structure, were destroyed and about 30 houses were damaged on Ali Nizami Street.<ref name="hrw" /> As a result of the attack, one civilian was killed, while 30 were injured.<ref name="1attackcasualities">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-54364455 |title=Gəncə niyə raket atəşinə tutuldu? |date=4 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=az |publisher=[[BBC|BBC Azerbaijani Service]] }}</ref> === Second attack === Ganja was again hit on 8 October. No civilian casualties were reported, but a number of residential buildings and a school were damaged.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="hrw" /> === Third attack === A day after the ceasefire signed on 10 October, at 02:00 local time the [[Ministry of Defence (Azerbaijan)|Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence]] stated that Armenian armed forces in [[Berd]], Armenia,<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 October 2020|title=Город Гянджа вновь подвергается обстрелу с территории Армении|url=https://mod.gov.az/ru/news/gorod-gyandzha-vnov-podvergaetsya-obstrelu-s-territorii-armenii-32883.html|access-date=11 October 2020|language=ru}}</ref> had fired upon [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 October 2020|title=MoD: Ganja city once again comes under fire from Armenia|url=https://apa.az/en/frontline-news/MoD:-Ganja-city-once-again-comes-under-fire-from-Armenia-332626|access-date=11 October 2020|language=en|quote=Armenian armed forces are once again shelling the Ganja city, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence reported.}}</ref> with a [[Scud missile]];<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 October 2020|title=Ganja was fired from "Scud" missile, and not "Tochka-U"|url=https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/10/free/politics%20news/en/128604.htm|access-date=12 October 2020|language=en|quote=missile strike on a residential area of the city of Ganja was carried out by a Scud missile, said Gazanfar Ahmedov, executive director of the National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA).|agency=[[Turan Information Agency]]}}</ref> the missile hit an apartment building,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Хрупкое перемирие в Карабахе. Азербайджанский город Гянджа вновь попал под ракетный удар|url=https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/9687931|access-date=2020-10-13|website=ТАСС}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-12|title=Гянджа: гуманитарное перемирие под ракетным ударом|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-54506953|access-date=2020-10-13|website=BBC News Русская служба|language=ru}}</ref> completely destroying it.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/nagorno-karabakh-truce-under-severe-strain-both-armenia-azerbaijan-allege-n1242840 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh truce under severe strain as both Armenia and Azerbaijan allege violations |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |work=[[NBC News]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/deaths-in-nagorno-karabakh-as-shelling-breaks-cease-fire/a-55234100 |title=Deaths in Nagorno-Karabakh as shelling breaks cease-fire |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] }}</ref> Search and rescue teams shortly afterwards arrived at the scene.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20201011-armenia-azerbaijan-continue-to-levy-charges-of-civilian-strikes-after-nagorno-karabakh-ceasefire |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenia, Azerbaijan trade accusations as civilian areas hit despite truce |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[France24]] }}</ref> During the attack, significant infrastructure in the city was completely destroyed,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Orla |last=Guerin |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54522278 |title=Karabakh war leaves civilians shell-shocked and bitter |date=15 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[BBC]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/azerbaijan-54515799 |title=Qarabağda atəşkəs: Xankəndində nə deyirlər? -BBC Ruscanın müxbiri yazır |date=13 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=az |publisher=[[BBC|BBC Azerbaijani]] }}</ref> including 31 apartment buildings,<ref name="MoES" /> and structures and vehicles in the vicinity of the explosion were seriously damaged.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Nailia |last1=Bagirova |first2=Nvard |last2=Hovhannisyan |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/armenia-azerbaijan-idUSKBN26W098 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh truce frays as both sides allege attacks |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Reuters]] }}</ref> The attack affected 205 people in a total of 95 apartments;<ref name="MoES">{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3315529.html |title=Azerbaijani ministry's special commission assessing damage caused to Ganja by Armenia's missile strike |date=12 October 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020 |language=en |agency=[[Trend News Agency]] }}</ref> The attack killed ten people,<ref name="2attackcasualities">{{Cite web |first=Jamie |last=Dettmer |url=https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/why-azerbaijan-fighting |title=Why is Azerbaijan Fighting? |date=12 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Voice of America]] }}</ref> and 40 were injured, with women and children among the victims.<ref name="2attackwounded">{{Cite web |first1=Elizabeth |last1=Melimopoulos |first2=Linah |last2=Alsaafin |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/11/seven-dead-by-overnight-armenian-shelling-baku-says-live |title=Nagorno-Karabakh truce frays as both sides allege attacks: Live |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Al Jazeera]] }}</ref> [[Human Rights Watch]] confirmed that Armenian forces had fired a Scud-B ballistic missile that detonated in a residential neighbourhood, killing 10 civilians and wounding 34 others. It observed a massive crater and more than 20 damaged or destroyed buildings in the area, behind a row of multi-story commercial buildings.<ref name="hrw" /> === Fourth attack === On 17 October, at approximately 01:00 local time, Azerbaijani authorities stated that Armenian forces had fired [[Scud missile]]s<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/frontline-news/Hikmet-Hajiyev-According-to-ANAMA-missiles-fired-to-Ganja-is-SCUDElbrus-Operative-Tactical-Ballistic-Missile-333144 |title=Hikmet Hajiyev: According to ANAMA missiles fired to Ganja is SCUD/Elbrus Operative-Tactical Ballistic Missile |website=APA.az |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref> at Ganja;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.voanews.com/europe/azerbaijan-says-12-killed-40-wounded-missile-attack-ganja |title=Azerbaijan Says 12 Killed, 40 Wounded in ballistic missile attack on Ganja |publisher=[[Voice of America]] |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/355427/ |title=Два города в Азербайджане попали под ракетный обстрел |publisher=[[Caucasian Knot]] |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=ru }}</ref> journalists reported three powerful explosions in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-54317944?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f8a1443c898d102e444461c%26%D0%9F%D0%BE%20%D0%93%D1%8F%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B5%20%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%20%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%20%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%8B%262020-10-16T21%3A44%3A37.840Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:f26d7946-75a5-4b3b-9a7d-8b8bca4c47b2&pinned_post_asset_id=5f8a1443c898d102e444461c&pinned_post_type=share |title=По Гяндже снова ударили ракеты |publisher=[[BBC Russian Service]] |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=ru }}</ref> According to a ''[[RIA Novosti]]'' correspondent, the missiles struck densely populated residential areas of the city, leveling several rows of residential and other buildings,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/twelve-killed-in-missile-strike-on-azerbaijans-ganja-prosecutor/articleshow/78715782.cms |title=Twelve killed in missile strike on Azerbaijan's Ganja: Prosecutor |publisher=[[The Economic Times]] |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=17 October 2020|title=Azerbaijan says civilians killed by Armenia in Ganja: Live|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/17/casualties-after-armenian-attack-targets-ganja-live-updates|access-date=17 October 2020|publisher=[[Al Jazeera]]|language=en}}</ref> the first being less than two kilometers (1.2mi) away from the city hall<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201017/gyandzha-1580227276.html |title=Спасатели ищут выживших на месте нового ракетного удара в Гяндже |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=ru }}</ref> and the second in Kapaz District in the east of the city.<ref name="riakapaz">{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201017/gyandzha-1580229545.html |title=Один человек погиб при втором ракетном ударе по Гяндже |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=ru }}</ref> Vasily Polonsky, a "''[[Dozhd]]''" correspondent, stated that there were no military bases and important targets near the places struck by the missiles.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Vasily |last1=Polonsky |first2=Alexey |last2=Korostelev |first3=Denis |last3=Kataev |url=https://tvrain.ru/teleshow/here_and_now/konflikt_v_karabahe-517839/ |title="Квартал уничтожен под ноль". Как выживают люди в Шуше, Степанакерте и Гяндже |publisher=[[Dozhd]] |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=18 October 2020 |language=ru }}</ref> According to local authorities, approximately 20 houses were destroyed,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201017/azerbaydzhan-1580222754.html |title=В Азербайджане заявили, что при обстреле Гянджи разрушены 20 домов |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=ru }}</ref> trapping many civilians under the rubble.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnnturk.com/video/dunya/son-dakika-haberi-ermenistan-yine-genceyi-vurdu |title=Son dakika haberi... Ermenistan yine Gence'yi vurdu! |publisher=[[CNN Türk]] |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=tr }}</ref> Search and rescue teams of the [[Ministry of Emergency Situations (Azerbaijan)|Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations]] and servicemen of the [[Ministry of Defence (Azerbaijan)|Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense]] arrived at the scene<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vestikavkaza.ru/news/armanskie-vojska-vnov-obstrelivaut-gandzu-i-mingacevir.html |title=Армянские войска вновь обстреливают Гянджу и Мингячевир. Есть жертвы (ВИДЕО и ФОТО) |publisher=Vestnik Kavkaza |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2020 |language=ru }}</ref> and called in sniffer dogs to rescue the wounded and recover the dead.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/17/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-says-12-civilians-killed-by-shelling-in-ganja |title=Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan says 12 civilians killed by shelling in Ganja |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref> As a result of the attack, 15 civilians were killed, including a 13-year-old [[Russia]]n citizen,<ref name="russianciv">{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3322912.html |title=Azerbaijan informs Russian embassy about Russian citizen killed by Armenia's attacks |date=24 October 2020 |access-date=24 October 2020 |agency=[[Trend News Agency]] |language=en }}</ref> and 55 were injured.<ref name="riaganjathree">{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201017/gyandzhi-1580236537.html |title=МЧС Азербайджана сообщило о 13 погибших при ракетном обстреле Гянджи |website=[[RIA Novosti]] |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=ru }}</ref><ref name="trendcasualities">{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3319860.html |title=Damage to Azerbaijan's Ganja city from Armenian aggression revealed |agency=[[Trend News Agency]] |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=20 October 2020 |language=en }}</ref> [[Human Rights Watch]] confirmed that Armenian forces had used Scud-B ballistic missiles on two residential neighbourhoods in Ganja at about 1 a.m., killing 21 civilians, including five who had died of their wounds after the attack. They observed 10 houses destroyed and over 20 damaged at the site. Almost simultaneously with the attack, a second Scud-B missile hit another neighbourhood in the city. The attack destroyed or left uninhabitable 15 family homes and damaged 40 to 50 others. Human Rights Watch observed a large crater and dozens of damaged or destroyed residential buildings and munition remnants scattered at the blast site.<ref name="hrw" /> == Azerbaijani response == On 14 October, Azerbaijan stated that it had retaliated for the third attack, claiming the destruction of operational-tactical missile systems in the occupied [[Kalbajar District]], under Artsakh's control.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mod.gov.az/en/news/legitimate-military-targets-that-have-taken-the-civilian-population-of-azerbaijan-under-the-gunpoint-were-neutralized-32955.html |title=Legitimate military targets that have taken the civilian population of Azerbaijan under the gunpoint were neutralized |date=14 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Azerbaijan)|Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence]] }}</ref> Three days later, Azerbaijani president [[Ilham Aliyev]] stated that Azerbaijani forces had retaliated for the fourth attack, seizing control of [[Füzuli (city)|Fuzuli]] and several villages within the [[Fuzuli District|district of the same name]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201017/azerbaydzhan-1580239300.html |title=Алиев заявил о взятии Азербайджаном под контроль города Физули в Карабахе |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=ru |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] }}</ref> == Reactions == [[File:2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict - Azerbaijani soldier in rubble.png|thumb|right|250px|An [[Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action|ANAMA]] employee standing among the ruins of destroyed residential buildings in [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]] after the Armenian ballistic missile attacks.]] The attacks were strongly condemned by the Azerbaijani government, which labeled the third attack "an act of genocide against the [[Azerbaijanis|Azerbaijani people]] we have witnessed since the [[Khojaly massacre|Khojaly Massacre]]".<ref name="genocide">{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3314618.html |title=Armenian policy of vandalism against Azerbaijani civilian population continues - assistant to Azerbaijani president (PHOTO) |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |agency=[[Trend News Agency]] }}</ref> [[Ilham Aliyev|Aliyev]] described the third attack as a war crime and a "gross" violation of the ceasefire, promising a "befitting retaliation".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-azerbaijan-archive-armenia-army-a517562831a5aa3995c6652f610c934a |title=Турция обвинила Армению в военных преступлениях |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]] }}</ref> He also described the fourth attack as a war crime and promised to retaliate,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201017/aliev-1580238378.html |title=Алиев пообещал ответить на ракетный обстрел Гянджи на поле боя |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=ru |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] }}</ref> adding that Azerbaijan would "punish" Armenia if the international community did not react,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-armenia-azerbaijan/azerbaijan-and-armenia-allege-truce-violations-accuse-each-other-in-shelling-idUSKBN272069 |title=Azerbaijan and Armenia allege truce violations, accuse each other in shelling |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Reuters]] }}</ref> while the [[Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan|Azerbaijani ombudsman]] [[Sabina Aliyeva]] accused Armenia of supporting terrorism.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201017/azerbaydzhan-1580253059.html |title=Азербайджанский омбудсмен обвинила Ереван в поддержке терроризма |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=ru |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] }}</ref> Internationally, the third and fourth attacks were condemned by [[Turkey]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-241_-ermenistan-in-gence-ye-saldirisi-hk.en.mfa |title=No: 241, 11 October 2020, Press Release Regarding Armenia's Attacks on Ganja |date=11 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey)]] }}</ref> which described the latter as a war crime.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20201017/turtsiya-1580243693.html |title=Турция обвинила Армению в военных преступлениях |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |language=ru |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] }}</ref> The [[Qatar]]i,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ednews.net/en/news/world/440771-qatar-expresses-support-for-azerbaijans-territorial-integrity |title=Qatar expresses support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity |date=13 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=Eurasia Diary }}</ref> [[Malaysia|Malay]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/karabakh/3315988.html |title=Malaysia stands firm on territorial integrity, inviolability of Azerbaijani borders - Ambassador |date=13 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |agency=[[Trend News Agency]] }}</ref> [[Switzerland|Swiss]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3315871.html |title=Swiss ambassador calls to stop violence, after seeing Armenia's attack on Ganja |date=13 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |agency=[[Trend News Agency]] }}</ref> [[United Kingdom|British]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3316131.html |title=Latest events in Azerbaijan's Ganja shock UK's ambassador |date=13 October 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |language=en |agency=[[Trend News Agency]] }}</ref> and [[Japan|Japanese]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/Japan-ambassador-condemns-terror-acts-against-civilians-in-Ganja-343980 |title=Japan ambassador condemns terror acts against civilians in Ganja |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=4 March 2021 |website=apa.az |publisher= |access-date=5 March 2021 |quote=}}</ref> ambassadors to Azerbaijan expressed their condolences for the third attack, while the [[European Union]] condemned the fourth attack<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 October 2020|title=Azerbaijan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the strikes on the city of Ganja|url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_en/87141/Azerbaijan:%20Statement%20by%20the%20Spokesperson%20on%20the%20strikes%20on%20the%20city%20of%20Ganja|access-date=20 October 2020|publisher=[[European External Action Service]]|language=en}}</ref> and [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|UN Secretary-General]] [[António Guterres]] described it as unacceptable.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/10/1075672 |title=Both sides obliged to 'spare and protect civilians' over Nagorno-Karabakh fighting declares UN's Guterres |date=18 October 2020 |access-date=19 October 2020 |language=en |publisher=[[United Nations]] }}</ref> Artsakh authorities, who had called for Ganja to be evacuated, published a list mentioning military targets within the city.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 October 2020|title=Армия обороны Карабаха перечислила военные цели в азербайджанской Гяндже|url=https://ria.ru/20201017/karabakh-1580246385.html|access-date=17 October 2020|website=[[RIA Novosti]]|language=ru}}</ref> On 16 October, [[Azerbaijanis in the United Kingdom|Azerbaijanis]], [[Iranians in the United Kingdom|Iranian Azerbaijanis]], and [[Turks in the United Kingdom|Turks]] living in the [[United Kingdom]] gathered in front of [[Amnesty International]]'s [[London]] headquarters and held a protest rally, condemning the Armenian Armed Forces’ shelling of residential areas and civilians in Ganja, Mingachevir, Tartar, and other regions.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 October 2020|title=Azerbaijanis living in Britain hold protest rally in front of Amnesty International building - PHOTO|url=https://apa.az/en/nagorno_garabagh/Azerbaijanis-living-in-Britain-hold-protest-rally-in-front-of-Amnesty-International-building-colorredPHOTOcolor-333101|access-date=18 October 2020|website=APA.az|language=en}}</ref> The next day, [[Azerbaijani Americans]] held a rally in [[Chicago]], condemning the ballistic missile attacks.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 October 2020|title=Rally condemning Ganja terror held in Illinois state of US|url=https://apa.az/en/social-news/Rally-condemning-Ganja-terror-held-in-Illinois-state-of-US-333186|access-date=18 October 2020|website=APA.az|language=en}}</ref> The following day, [[Azerbaijanis in the United Kingdom|British Azerbaijanis]] commemorated those killed during the attacks in front of the [[Embassy of Azerbaijan, London|Azerbaijani embassy in London]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 October 2020|title=People, who were killed in Ganja, commemorated in front of Azerbaijani Embassy in Great Britain|url=https://apa.az/en/europe/People-who-were-killed-in-Ganja-commemorated-in-front-of-Azerbaijani-Embassy-in-Great-Britain-333252|access-date=18 October 2020|website=APA.az|language=en}}</ref> while [[Azerbaijanis in Georgia|Georgian Azerbaijanis]] held a rally in front of the [[Georgian Parliament Building (Tbilisi)|Parliament Building]] in [[Tbilisi]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=APA.az|date=2020-10-18|title=Rally in support to Azerbaijan held in front of parliament building in Tbilisi - PHOTOSESSION|url=https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/Rally-in-support-to-Azerbaijan-held-in-front-of-parliament-building-in-Tbilisi-colorredPHOTOSESSIONcolor-333268|access-date=2020-10-18|website=apa.az|language=az}}</ref> The same day, [[Azerbaijanis in Russia|Russian Azerbaijanis]] dedicated part of the entrance of [[Embassy of Azerbaijan in Moscow|Azerbaijan's embassy to Russia]] in [[Moscow]] to the memory of the victims of the 17 October attack.<ref>{{Cite web|last=APA.az|date=2020-10-18|title=Victims of act of terrorism committed by Armenia in Azerbaijan's Ganja city were commemorated in Moscow|url=https://apa.az/en/foreign-news/Victims-of-act-of-terrorism-committed-by-Armenia-in-Azerbaijans-Ganja-city-were-commemorated-in-Moscow-333276|access-date=2020-10-18|website=apa.az|language=az}}</ref> On November 23, [[Aziz Sancar]], a [[List of Nobel laureates in Chemistry|Nobel laureate in chemistry]] from Turkey, transferred a significant amount of money to a specially created bank account to cover the future education expenses of Khadija Shahnazarova, a toddler who lost both her parents in the 17 October attack.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/azeri/live/azerbaijan-54577122?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5fbb51ec65be0302b81c43ba%26Nobel%20m%C3%BCkafat%C3%A7%C4%B1s%C4%B1n%C4%B1n%20G%C9%99nc%C9%99d%C9%99%20valideynl%C9%99rini%20itirmi%C5%9F%20X%C9%99dic%C9%99nin%20g%C9%99l%C9%99c%C9%99k%20t%C9%99hsil%20x%C9%99rcl%C9%99ri%20%C3%BC%C3%A7%C3%BCn%20yard%C4%B1m%20ay%C4%B1rd%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1%20bildirilir%262020-11-23T07%3A07%3A31%2B00%3A00&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:b8b7c4e9-332b-42af-b079-47ae0bad0a60&pinned_post_asset_id=5fbb51ec65be0302b81c43ba&pinned_post_type=share |title=Nobel mükafatçısının Gəncədə valideynlərini itirmiş Xədicənin gələcək təhsil xərcləri üçün yardım ayırdığı bildirilir |date=23 November 2020 |access-date=23 November 2020 |work=BBC Azerbaijani Service |language=az }}</ref> == References == {{Reflist|30em}} == External links == * {{commonscat-inline|2020 Ganja missile attacks}} {{Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict}} {{Anti-Azerbaijanism}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ganja ballistic missile attacks, 2020}} [[Category:Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]] [[Category:Massacres of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war]] [[Category:History of Ganja, Azerbaijan]] [[Category:Cluster bomb attacks]] [[Category:2020 in Azerbaijan]] [[Category:October 2020 events in Asia]]'