More families return to Shusha in historic homecoming PHOTO

A new group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) has made their return to Shusha, marking another milestone in the Great Return process.

On December 21, 49 families, totalling 191 people, left Baku’s Garadagh district to return to their homeland, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

These families had previously been temporarily settled in various hostels, sanatoriums, children’s camps, and unfinished buildings throughout Azerbaijan.

This return follows the Azerbaijani Army's victory in the Patriotic War, which allowed displaced families to return to their ancestral lands after 30 years. The process is part of Azerbaijan’s efforts to enable former IDPs to return safely, voluntarily, and with dignity.

Residents of Shusha expressed deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for their steadfast support. Many also thanked the Azerbaijani Army for liberating their lands and honoured the martyrs who gave their lives for this cause.

Former IDP Rovshan Hummatov shared his emotions upon returning, saying, “It is an inexpressible feeling to return to our native city after tens of years. Shusha is waiting for us in all its glory. Although our state has created all the necessary conditions for IDPs, it is quite different to live and create on the native land. I believe that everything will be fine.”

Hummatov also expressed gratitude to President Aliyev, the Azerbaijani army, and the soldiers who made this return possible. “We thank the President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijani army, and brave soldiers who gave us this joy. We wish good health to our Gazis,” he added.

Nuri Humbatova, another returnee, expressed her joy and pride at coming back to Shusha. “I am immensely happy to return to Shusha after many years. We are going home with a sense of pride,” she said. “I have not seen Shusha, but my family members told me about it with such love that Shusha has become sacred to me. We will start a new life in our native land. Thank the Almighty our dream has come true. Now I am returning to my hometown. May Allah protect our President and the Azerbaijani Army, and rest the souls of our martyrs.”

With the arrival of these 49 families, a total of 318 families (1,180 people) have now settled permanently in Shusha. Currently, around 30,000 people reside in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, including returning IDPs, local officials, and workers involved in reconstruction projects, as well as specialists in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy.

By Tamilla Hasanova