Khojaly residents express deep emotions upon coming home photo / updated

On January 15, a new group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) began their journey to Karabakh's Shusha, Khojaly, and Ballija, with the atmosphere in Khojaly filled with joy and pride as residents like Allahverdi Karimov expressed their emotions upon returning home.

Karimov said that he had longed for the opportunity to return to his native land, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"We lived in the Muradbulag area of the village of Kober Zeyzid in the Sheki district. Now, alongside my six family members, we are finally returning home. It’s an incredible happiness. We eagerly anticipate the moment we reach our village. It’s a mixture of joy, pride, and deep emotions," he remarked. 

Similarly, Mansur Rustamov, another Khojaly resident, conveyed the overwhelming feelings that come with returning home.

"The emotions we feel upon returning to our homeland cannot be described in words," Rustamov said. 

According to Rustamov, they had to live as internally displaced people, and those years were filled with challenges.

"We settled in Ganja and faced many hardships and struggles, yet even in our darkest days, we felt the unwavering support of the state." Rustamov explained that despite the improving conditions over time, the longing for their homeland never ceased.

He added that the yearning for their native land was a constant source of worry.

"When we left, it was just our family. But now, we return together with the families of my five sons."

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On January 15, a new group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) embarked on their journey to Karabakh's Shusha, Khojaly, and the village of Ballija.

This latest resettlement involves two families (8 individuals) returning to Shusha, six families (25 individuals) to Khojaly, and 20 families (102 individuals) to Ballija, making a total of 28 families and 135 people, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The relocation is part of the initial phase of the State Programme for the "Great Return," aimed at facilitating the permanent resettlement of IDPs to their ancestral lands.

To recap, the resettlement represents a pivotal milestone in the broader effort to revitalize life in Karabakh and East Zangezur. For now, approximately 30,000 people reside in these liberated areas, including former internally displaced persons (IDPs) and workers engaged in infrastructure projects, government institutions, and sectors such as healthcare, education, tourism, and industry, which have resumed operations across the region.

Shusha, which was liberated on 8 November 2020 during the 44-day Second Karabakh War, holds deep cultural and spiritual importance for the Azerbaijani people. Its liberation marked a decisive moment in the conflict and is now commemorated annually as Victory Day.

Since regaining control of these territories, the Azerbaijani government has embarked on an ambitious reconstruction programme, focusing on rebuilding essential infrastructure such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. The "Great Return" initiative, launched in 2022, aims to support the resettlement of displaced families.

This programme has gained renewed momentum following counter-terrorism operations in September 2023, which reinforced Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Karabakh. The ongoing efforts underscore a commitment to restoring these lands and enabling a sustainable future for returning communities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev