Azerbaijan advances “Great Return” with new wave of resettlements in Khidirli

Following the directives of President Ilham Aliyev, another group of former internally displaced persons is returning to the village of Khidirli in the Aghdam district.

According to domestic media, the families had previously been temporarily accommodated across various regions of Azerbaijan, including dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings. In this phase, 68 families, totalling 252 individuals, are being resettled in their native village.

The returning residents expressed deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the state’s comprehensive support. They also extended their thanks to the Azerbaijani Army, commending the heroic soldiers and officers who liberated their lands from occupation.

Currently, more than 50,000 people — including former internally displaced persons, state employees, and specialists — are living and working in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. These individuals contribute to a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy, often as part of state-backed reconstruction programs.

Specifically, over 43,000 people have been resettled or are actively engaged in rebuilding efforts, providing critical support to the redevelopment of infrastructure and public institutions across the region.

The reconstruction of Khidirli is part of a broader state initiative. President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva previously laid the foundation stone for the village. The planned area for Khidirli covers 417 hectares, with a long-term goal of accommodating roughly 6,000 residents.

The village’s construction is being carried out in two phases. The first phase, spanning 170.44 hectares, includes 719 homes designed for 719 families, or 2,951 individuals. All 719 homes have already been completed, comprising 263 two-room, 332 three-room, 121 four-room, and 3 five-room houses.

Through the ongoing “Great Return” initiative, Azerbaijan continues to advance the restoration of life in its liberated territories, ensuring the sustainable resettlement of its citizens and the revival of their communities.

By Tamilla Hasanova