Jabrayil celebrates historic moment as 39 formerly displaced families receive keys to new homes photos / Updated

In the city of Jabrayil, the keys to new homes were handed over to 39 families of former internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Officials from the Special Representation of the President of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan regions, along with representatives from the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, attended the ceremony, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

The families, who are resettling in Jabrayil for permanent residence, were provided with flats in newly built residential buildings.

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In a heartfelt continuation of the journey home, 39 families, comprising 165 individuals, have departed for the city of Jabrayil, fulfilling a dream many have held for decades.

These families, once housed in temporary shelters across the country, gathered in Baku's Garadagh district to begin their journey home, Caliber.Az reports.

"It is one of the most unforgettable days of my life," Sevinj Huseynova, a former internally displaced person, who is returning to the city of Jabrayil has shared her emotions.

"I was eight years old when we left Jabrayil. Today, I return full of pride and joy," she said.

Huseynova expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his continued support of displaced persons. "Over the years, we have received immense care, from social benefits to free education for our children and subsidies for utilities. We are deeply thankful for this unwavering attention."

She also highlighted her family's optimism for the future, stating, "We always dreamed of coming back to Jabrayil. Now, we return with great hopes. My son is a border guard, and we are grateful to all the soldiers protecting our country. May the Almighty bless the souls of our martyrs and grant health to our veterans."

Since 2020, Azerbaijan has embarked on an ambitious reconstruction programme in Karabakh, focusing on building roads, schools, and healthcare facilities to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The "Great Return" initiative officially began in 2022, following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories.

After decisive counter-terrorism operations in September 2023, Azerbaijan secured full sovereignty over all areas of Karabakh, clearing the path for an expanded resettlement effort.

The initial phase of the "Great Return" aims to resettle 140,000 people across 100 rebuilt settlements in Karabakh and East Zangezur by the end of 2026. The second phase, scheduled from 2026 to 2040, will complete the resettlement of all liberated regions, marking a significant milestone in the country's post-conflict recovery.

By Aghakazim Guliyev