New chapter: 28 families receive keys to their new apartments in Sarijali UPDATED / PHOTO

On April 2, another group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) took a long-awaited step towards rebuilding their lives as they arrived in Sarijali village, located in Azerbaijan’s Aghdam district.

In a significant milestone, 28 families, comprising a total of 110 people, were officially handed the keys to their new apartments, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The emotional moment marked yet another phase in the country's ongoing efforts to restore life in liberated areas.

The key handover ceremony was attended by officials from the Special Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan for Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, as well as representatives from the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs. Their presence underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth resettlement process for returning families.

With each new arrival, Sarijali is coming back to life, as former residents reclaim their homeland and look forward to a future filled with hope and stability.

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Another group of former internally displaced persons has departed for Sarijali village in the Aghdam region.

At this stage, 28 families (110 people) are returning to their homeland, Caliber.Az reports via local media. The list includes:

• 11 families (39 people) from the Barda region,

• 9 families (41 people) from Baku,

• 3 families (13 people) from Mingachevir,

• 1 family (4 people) from the Aghjabadi region,

• 1 family (4 people) from the Aghdam region,

• 1 family (4 people) from the Ujar region,

• 1 family (3 people) from the Gadabay region,

• 1 family (2 people) from Yevlakh.

With this latest relocation, the total number of returnees to Sarijali has reached 37 families (146 people).

"I have been eagerly waiting to return to my native village," said 77-year-old Shahla Aliyeva, a resident of Sarijali village.

She recalled that she was forced to leave her home at the age of 46.

"By that time, my husband had already passed away, and I had to leave my native village with five children. Every inch of Aghdam’s land is precious to me. I am grateful to the president, under whose leadership the Azerbaijani army liberated our lands and gave us the opportunity to return home," she emphasized.

Another returning resident, Derya Jafarova, also shared her emotions with journalists:

"Today, we are coming back to our village thanks to our president. Under his leadership, the Azerbaijani army defeated the enemy and reclaimed our lands."

She is returning to her homeland with her large family.

"I cannot put my feelings into words. Once, we had to leave our home, but now I am coming back to Saryjaly with my husband, two children, and daughter-in-law. I hope all former internally displaced persons will soon return to their homes," Jafarova said.

She also expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this day possible.

"I want to express my deep appreciation to our president and the Azerbaijani army. We are returning home thanks to their efforts, at the cost of the blood and lives of our heroes. During the occupation, Armenians completely destroyed Aghdam, but now life is being restored there," she added.

Sarijali village, one of the major reconstruction sites in Aghdam, was occupied by Armenian armed forces on July 23, 1993, during the First Karabakh War. During the occupation, the village was completely destroyed, including residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, healthcare facilities, and commercial establishments. Following Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War, Aghdam was returned to Azerbaijan on November 20, 2020, under the Trilateral Statement. After the liberation of Sarijali, a mass grave belonging to Azerbaijanis was discovered in the village. Prior to the occupation, the village had a population of 1,024 people (239 families).

Located six kilometers from Aghdam city center, the foundation of Sarijali village was laid by President Ilham Aliyev on October 4, 2022. The village is designed to accommodate 1,873 residents (425 families) across a total area exceeding 123 hectares. The construction plan includes 425 individual houses to be built in two phases.

To ensure employment opportunities for residents, various educational, economic, social, and public service institutions, as well as cultural and community centers, have been established. Infrastructure work, including internal roads, electricity, telecommunications, water and gas supply has also been completed.

By Tamilla Hasanova