Understanding the Sumgait Pogrom: A Dark Chapter in Late Soviet History

In late February 1988, a seaside town in the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic became the scene of horrific violence, as the Sumgait pogrom unfolded against its resident Armenian population. Known in Armenian as Սումգայիթի ջարդեր (Sumgayit'i jarder, literally "Sumgait massacres") and in Azerbaijani as Sumqayıt hadisələri (literally "Sumgait events"), this tragedy marked a brutal escalation in the early stages of the burgeoning Karabakh movement, a period of growing ethnic tensions in the twilight years of the Soviet Union.

Three Days of Terror: The Events of February 1988

The violence commenced on February 27, 1988. Mobs comprising ethnic Azerbaijanis began to form, systematically attacking Armenians in the streets and their homes. Eyewitness accounts and subsequent reports detail widespread looting and a chilling lack of intervention from local law enforcement, which effectively allowed the atrocities to continue unchecked for three harrowing days. The targeted nature of these attacks left an indelible scar on the survivors and the collective memory of the Armenian community.

Delayed Response and Lingering Questions

It wasn't until February 28 that a small contingent of Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD troops) arrived in Sumgait, but their efforts to quell the escalating riots proved largely ineffective. The true intervention came a day later, when more substantial military units, equipped with tanks and armored personnel vehicles, finally entered the city. Government forces imposed a state of martial law and a curfew, which ultimately brought the crisis to an end. The official death toll, compiled by the Prosecutor General of the USSR based on lists of named victims, stood at 32 individuals (26 Armenians and 6 Azerbaijanis). However, numerous other estimates suggest the true number of victims was significantly higher, possibly reaching into the hundreds, a disparity that continues to fuel debate and sorrow.

A Shock to the Soviet System: Perestroika, Glasnost, and Gorbachev's Challenge

The violence in Sumgait sent shockwaves through the Soviet Union and garnered significant attention from the Western press. It was met with profound surprise across Armenia and the wider Soviet state, largely because the Soviet government had historically prided itself on suppressing ethnic conflicts, promoting ideals like the "fraternity of peoples," "socialist patriotism," and "proletarian internationalism." Yet, the new era ushered in by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, with his policies of Perestroika and Glasnost, inadvertently created an environment where long-simmering ethnic tensions could resurface. These reforms, designed to relax state control, unfortunately also unmuted voices of dissent and inter-ethnic grievances. The Sumgait pogrom, alongside the broader Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, presented a formidable challenge to Gorbachev's leadership, and he faced considerable criticism for what many perceived as a slow and inadequate reaction to the unfolding crisis.

Historical Echoes and Lasting Commemoration

For Armenians, the brutality and targeted nature of the Sumgait pogrom immediately evoked painful memories of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, becoming deeply embedded in the Armenian national consciousness as another chapter of ethnic persecution. Several international and Soviet sources have also characterized the events as a genocide against the Armenian population. To this day, the Sumgait pogrom is solemnly commemorated every year on February 28 in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and across the global Armenian diaspora, serving as a stark reminder of the tragic human cost of unchecked ethnic hatred and state inaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Sumgait Pogrom

What was the Sumgait pogrom?

The Sumgait pogrom was a series of violent attacks against the Armenian population of Sumgait, a city in the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, that took place in late February 1988.

When did the Sumgait pogrom occur?

The primary period of violence spanned three days, beginning on February 27, 1988.

Who was targeted in the Sumgait pogrom?

The attacks specifically targeted the ethnic Armenian population residing in Sumgait.

What caused the Sumgait pogrom?

It occurred during the early stages of the Karabakh movement, a period of rising ethnic tensions between Armenians and Azerbaijanis over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The reforms of Perestroika and Glasnost under Mikhail Gorbachev also contributed to the environment where such conflicts could surface.

What was the official death toll?

The official death toll released by the Prosecutor General of the USSR was 32 people (26 Armenians and 6 Azerbaijanis), though other estimates suggest the number was considerably higher, potentially in the hundreds.

How is the Sumgait pogrom remembered?

The Sumgait pogrom is commemorated annually on February 28 in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and by the Armenian diaspora worldwide, drawing parallels to the Armenian Genocide of 1915 due to the nature and scale of the atrocities.