Azerbaijani President, First Lady celebrate village restoration in Khojavand PHOTO / UPDATED

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva reviewed the restoration of individual houses and infrastructure in Khanoba village of the Khojavand district on March 18.

Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President in the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, briefed the head of state and the First Lady on reconstruction progress and upcoming projects in the village, Caliber.Az reports via state media.

Khanoba village is located in the administrative territorial district of the same name in Khojavand, 15 kilometres southwest of the district center. It was historically a residential area belonging to the Garabagh khans. Prior to the occupation, the village had a secondary school, a club, a library, a medical point, and a communications department. The village was liberated following the anti-terror operation carried out by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in 2023.

The village has 153 individual houses, of which 21 are unfit for use and 132 are partially usable. Of the partially usable houses, 26 are already ready for occupancy, with an additional 106 expected to be completed by the end of the year.

A few days ago, at the initial stage, 25 families comprising 114 people returned to the village. By October, the relocation of another 107 families is planned. In total, since October last year, 1,818 people (441 families) have returned to six residential areas of the Khojavend district.

A number of measures have been implemented in Khanoba village to address social infrastructure needs. Two existing transformer substations, as well as electricity and gas lines, have been restored. New electricity, gas, and fiber-optic lines have been laid, and repair work has been carried out at the subartesian well and pumping station.

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The President and the First Lady also visited the home of Baybala Gasimov, a resident who recently returned to the village.

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Later, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with the returning residents of Khanoba village.

The President lit the Novruz bonfire together with the village residents.

 Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva spoke with the village residents.

 Greeting the residents, President Ilham Aliyev said:

“All conditions have been created in the village—for living and working. Most importantly, you have returned to your native Garabagh land. I congratulate you on the upcoming holidays. You will celebrate both Ramadan and Novruz here—in your native Garabagh region. This is an enormous happiness. After a long break, you will now celebrate these holidays in your homeland.

The Novruz bonfire is right here—let us go and light it together.”

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva then lit the Novruz bonfire together with the residents.

President Ilham Aliyev said:

“Indeed, this is a great joy. For two years now, this land has been liberated from occupation. Khanoba village was freed in September 2023, and since then, reconstruction has been underway—homes have been rebuilt, and all necessary conditions have been created. In other words, our glorious Victory has been a source of pride for several years. This is the sixth year that I am celebrating Novruz in Garabagh. The first time was in 2021, and every year since then, on the eve of Novruz, I have come to Garabagh, where we light the Novruz bonfire together. This brings tremendous joy.

We have restored our national pride, ensured justice and territorial integrity, and driven the enemy out of our lands. May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace. Our Armed Forces demonstrated great heroism both in 2020 and in 2023. As a result, we are here today, and we are the rightful owners of these lands. Armenia had reduced everything to rubble - entire villages, settlements, and cities were destroyed. Only a few dilapidated houses remained—but look at them now. Aghdam, Fuzuli, Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli had been completely leveled. Armenians were illegally settled in Lachin and Kalbajar after being brought from abroad, and those areas were also in a deplorable condition.

We are rebuilding everything. In just five to six years, more than 80,000 people are already living, working, and studying in Garabagh and East Zangezur. Almost every month—and even every week—former internally displaced persons return to their native lands within the framework of the ‘Great Return’ Program. You yourselves have been here for several days now.

Once again, I congratulate you. Live happily now, in peace, security, and tranquility. The time has come to build and create. All necessary conditions have been established in the village, and there are employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors. There are arable lands, pastures, and water resources. Electricity and gas are available. The air here is like that of a resort—you are living in a resort area. You deserve it. You can already feel the difference in the air. Clean air and water are among the main factors for human health.

Now we will live forever on this native Garabagh land. We had to return—and we have returned as a victorious people. Once again, I congratulate you.”

The residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the conditions created for them.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have reviewed the restoration of individual houses and infrastructure in Khanoba village of the Khojavand district.

The President and the First Lady then visited the home of Baybala Gasimov, a resident who recently returned to the village, Caliber.Az reports via state media.

Later, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with the returning residents of Khanoba village.

President Aliyev lit the Novruz bonfire together with the village residents.