More Azerbaijani families return to restored Jabrayil under Great Return Photo

A new group of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has returned to the recently reconstructed city of Jabrayil in Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan’s Great Return state programme.

The group comprises 53 families, totalling 198 individuals, who had previously been housed in temporary shelters, including dormitories, sanatoriums and administrative buildings across the country, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

In line with President Ilham Aliyev’s directive, a fresh convoy of returnees was dispatched from Baku’s Garadagh district to the city, which was retaken during the 2020 Karabakh war and has since undergone extensive restoration.

Residents expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the government’s support and care. They also paid tribute to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces for liberating the territory, honouring the memory of fallen soldiers and offering prayers for their souls.

One returnee, Elza Guliyeva, expressed joy at the homecoming:

“Praise be to the Almighty. Today we are returning to our native lands, safe and sound. I hope all displaced Azerbaijanis will one day come back to their homes. We are thankful to our Commander-in-Chief and remember with respect martyrs who gave their lives for our freedom.”

Another resettled resident, Tahira Abdullayeva, shared a deeply personal sentiment:

“I am returning to my native Jabrayil with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. I had made a vow to walk barefoot on this land once it was liberated. I often told my grandchildren about the beauty of Jabrayil. May Allah bless the souls of our martyrs and grant health to our veterans.”

Currently, around 50,000 people reside in the Karabakh and East Zangazur regions. This figure includes former IDPs as well as public servants, professionals involved in reconstruction and development projects, and personnel working in healthcare, education, cultural, tourism, industrial, and energy institutions that have resumed operations in the area.

By Aghakazim Guliyev