New groups of former IDPs depart for villages of Sarijali and Ballija

New groups of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) have departed for the villages of Sarijali in the Aghdam district and Ballija in the Khojaly district.

Families who were previously temporarily settled in dormitories, sanatoriums, children's camps, unfinished buildings, and administrative structures across various regions of the republic departed for their native lands on April 29.

At this stage, 39 families (169 people) are returning to Sarijali, and 15 families (68 people) to Ballija.

Thanks to the brilliant victory of the Azerbaijani Army in the Patriotic War under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, former IDPs now have the opportunity to voluntarily, safely, and with dignity return to their homeland after 30 years.

The returning residents expressed their gratitude to the head of state and to the First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive government support. They also thanked the brave Azerbaijani Army for liberating the occupied lands and prayed for the souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this noble cause.

More than 40,000 people live in Karabakh and East Zangazur, including former IDPs, as well as those working on the implementation of various projects in the region — employees of local branches of state institutions and workers of restored healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy facilities.