Great Return: Azerbaijan relocates 37 families to Aghdam’s rebuilt Kangarli village

Azerbaijan has marked another significant milestone in the ongoing process of restoring life to its liberated territories, as 37 families—comprising 153 individuals—have returned to the village of Kangarli in the Aghdam district, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

This latest phase of resettlement brings renewed hope to former internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were forced to flee their homes three decades ago due to Armenia’s occupation. Until recently, many of them had been living in temporary shelters, including dormitories, sanatoriums, children’s camps, and even unfinished or administrative buildings.

The return of residents has been made possible through the decisive victory of the Azerbaijani Army in the 2020 Patriotic War under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The comprehensive state-led restoration programme has enabled former IDPs to go back voluntarily, safely, and with dignity to their ancestral lands.

Residents arriving in Kangarli expressed deep gratitude to President Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for their leadership and the state’s extensive support. They also paid heartfelt tribute to the Azerbaijani servicemen who sacrificed their lives to reclaim the occupied territories.

“We are returning to our homeland with pride and hope. These are the lands of our forefathers, and we thank every soldier, every martyr, and our leadership for making this day possible,” said one of the returning villagers.

The resettlement of Kangarli is part of the broader Great Return programme, which aims to revive the socio-economic life of Karabakh and East Zangezur. According to official figures, more than 43,000 people now reside in these regions. In addition to resettled families, the population includes civil servants and professionals working in newly rebuilt infrastructure—schools, hospitals, cultural institutions, energy and industrial sites, and tourism facilities.

All necessary conditions have been created in the village of Kangarli, Aghdam district, for former internally displaced persons, including the construction of beautiful new homes, said Allahverdi Rustamov, a resident of the village.

He noted that the successful policies of President Ilham Aliyev have made it possible for displaced persons to return to their native lands.

“We are very grateful to be returning to our homeland today. May God have mercy on the souls of our martyrs and grant health to our veterans. Thanks to the wise and successful policies of our esteemed President, we are returning to our native homes. I have already visited the village—beautiful houses have been built for us, and all necessary living conditions have been created,” Rustamov emphasised.

Raya Rustamova, a former IDP from the same village, also expressed her deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for enabling her return to her native land.

She stressed that the formerly occupied territories were liberated under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief by the Azerbaijani Army, at the cost of the lives and health of martyrs and veterans.

“May the Almighty grant peace to the souls of our martyrs and health to our veterans. These lands were reclaimed with their blood. Today, our joy knows no bounds. I am returning to my native village with my daughter. I wish our Head of State and his family long life and good health,” Rustamova added.

By Vugar Khalilov