Great Return: Azerbaijani former IDPs get keys to new homes in Khojaly's Khanyurdu PHOTO / UPDATED

The first group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) who arrived in the village of Khanyurdu in the Khojaly district have been handed the keys to their new homes, a local media outlet reports.

The key handover ceremony was attended by representatives of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, as well as officials from the Special Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, and the public legal entity "Restoration, Construction and Management Service in the city of Khankendi, Aghdara and Khojaly districts."

It is noted that in the first phase, 33 families — a total of 122 people — have been resettled in the village for permanent residence, with all necessary living conditions provided. They received keys to new individual residential houses.

14:32

The first group of IDPs who departed on the morning of July 14 for the village of Tazabina in the Khojaly district has arrived in their native land.

According to local media, in the first phase, 28 families comprising 125 people have been resettled in the village and received keys to their new homes.

The group includes families who had been temporarily living in various regions of the country, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

The key handover ceremony was attended by representatives of the Special Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, as well as officials from the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs.

09:08

The first group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) has begun returning to the villages of Khanyurdu and Tazabina in the Khojaly district.

Thirty-three families comprising 122 individuals are relocating to Khanyurdu, while 28 families totaling 125 people are moving to Tazabina, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

These individuals were previously accommodated in dormitories, sanatoriums, children’s camps, unfinished buildings, and administrative facilities. However, thanks to the brilliant victory of the Azerbaijani Army during the Patriotic War under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, former IDPs now have the opportunity to return voluntarily, safely, and with dignity to their homeland after 30 years.

The returnees expressed deep gratitude to the Head of State and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive support provided by the government. They also thanked the courageous Azerbaijani Army for liberating the occupied territories, and prayed for the souls of the martyrs who died for this noble cause.

It is worth noting that currently, more than 43,000 people live in Karabakh and East Zangazur, including former IDPs, individuals working on reconstruction projects, and employees of various state institutions as well as those in the healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy sectors.

Elbrus Abbasov, a former IDP returning to Khanyurdu village in Khojaly district, shared that he was forced to leave his home as a child and is now returning with his own children.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the group's departure to Khanyurdu and Tazabina, he noted that the newly built houses, infrastructure, and social facilities in the village create favourable conditions for a comfortable life.

“I am endlessly grateful to our Supreme Commander-in-Chief, our army, our martyrs, and veterans. They have put an end to our longing for home,” Abbasov said.

Gunduz Gahramanov, another former IDP from Khanyurdu village in Khojaly, said he had eagerly awaited the return to his native village.

He emphasised that the state's care is felt in every detail.

“Our liberated lands are being restored and developed. I am grateful to our President and our army for giving us the chance to feel the joy of returning to our homeland. May God rest the souls of our martyrs and grant health to our veterans,” Gahramanov added.

By Khagan Isayev