Azerbaijan's first couple review post-conflict reconstruction in Vangli interact with residents / photo

On August 21, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva inspected the restoration of private homes and infrastructure in the village of Vangli, Aghdara district, where they also visited the residence of local villager Vakil Mamedov.

The first couple later met with residents of Vangli and Kolatag, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

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President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their son Heydar Aliyev had previously visited Vangli on November 7, 2023. Situated on the banks of the Khachin River, the village is part of the Aghdara district of the same name. It was seized by Armenian forces in 1992 and was liberated in September 2023 following counter-terrorism operations by the Azerbaijani Army.

Out of the village’s 391 houses, 52 were found unsuitable for habitation and 339 were partially usable. So far, 60 homes have been fully restored, with another 60 due for completion by September 1. A further 219 are scheduled for repair and reconstruction in 2026.

On August 15, 2025, 22 families comprising 83 people returned to Vangli. By the end of August, another 38 families, totalling 143 people, will be resettled. Work is ongoing to establish modern social infrastructure.

Four transformers and three kilometres of power lines have been repaired, with 1.5 kilometres of new lines under installation. Sixty homes are now connected to the water system, which will be fully operational by the end of September.

The existing gas pipeline has been restored, alongside plans to reconstruct 3,500 metres of pipeline and extend a newly laid gas line.

A new recreation park has also been built in Vangli, featuring a flag square, children’s and sports playgrounds, leisure areas, and landscaped green zones.

By Aghakazim Guliyev