President Ilham Aliyev spent the day in the liberated districts of Jabrayil and Zangilan, inaugurating new villages, laying the foundations for major housing and energy projects, and marking the fifth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the 2020 war.
The series of openings and groundbreaking ceremonies underscored the scale of the government’s post-conflict reconstruction known as the “Great Return” program, which is transforming the Karabakh and East Zangazur regions into modern, self-sustaining communities.
Rebirth of Gorovlu Village
President Aliyev opened the first phase of Gorovlu village in Jabrayil, five years after the area was liberated from occupation. Addressing local residents, the President said the village stands as a symbol of justice and national resilience.
“Our people believed in justice – and achieved it,” Aliyev told the crowd. “We are the rightful owners of these lands. We expelled the enemy and are now building a new, beautiful life.”
Aliyev noted that over 50,000 people already live, work, and study in Karabakh and East Zangazur, including 20,000 former displaced persons who have returned to their homes.
Urban Renewal in Jabrayil City
The President also laid the foundations for the second and third residential complexes in the reconstructed city of Jabrayil.
The second complex, covering 5.28 hectares, will feature 23 five- and six-story buildings with 615 apartments of various sizes. The third complex, built on an adjacent site exceeding five hectares, will include 25 buildings and 746 apartments.
Both housing projects will meet modern construction standards and incorporate social infrastructure to support returning families.
Foundation of the Jabrayil Mosque
Aliyev later participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Jabrayil City Mosque, to be built on a 1,530-square-meter site. The mosque will accommodate 615 worshippers and include dedicated spaces for both men and women. Its two minarets will rise to 34 meters, and the dome will reach 22 meters in height.
The mosque’s construction represents both a cultural and spiritual restoration. Before the occupation, the district had five mosques and more than 40 places of worship, all of which were destroyed. Azerbaijan has since undertaken large-scale efforts to restore and rebuild religious monuments across Karabakh and East Zangazur, including the Cojuq Marjanly mosque built in 2017, modeled after Shusha’s iconic design.
New Infrastructure and Green Energy Projects
President Aliyev also inaugurated a new 11.5-kilometer road linking the Hajigabul–Bahramtepe highway with the Shafag Solar Power Plant, improving transport safety and accessibility in the area.
In the nearby Shahvelli village, the President laid the foundations for two major 50-megawatt solar power plants – “Shams” and “Ufug” – part of Azerbaijan’s broader green energy strategy.
According to Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, the two plants will jointly produce 206 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, saving 44 million cubic meters of natural gas and reducing carbon emissions by 96,000 tons.
Construction is being carried out under investment agreements with Clean Energy Jabrayil LLC and Enerso Jabrayil LLC, with commissioning planned for 2027.
“These projects will turn Jabrayil into a cornerstone of East Zangazur’s green energy future,” the minister said.
Reconstruction and Return in Zangilan
Later in the day, President Aliyev traveled to Zangilan, where he inaugurated the second phase of Agali village and opened the newly rebuilt Mamedbeyli village.
At Agali, 103 new houses were handed over to residents, while Mamedbeyli – covering 51 hectares – now includes 188 private homes equipped with solar panels, modern utilities, and high-speed internet. The villages are connected by a new road and share social facilities such as a school, kindergarten, health center, and market complex.
Aliyev met with resettled families, handing them keys to their new homes and reaffirming that the “Great Return” program will continue across all liberated districts.
“Today marks another stage of the Great Return,” he said. “People have been living in Agali for more than three years now, and these beautiful new villages prove how far we’ve come.”
Zangilan’s Future as a Transport Hub
The President also inspected a 104-apartment residential complex in Zangilan city and emphasized the district’s emerging role as a logistics center.
“Zangilan will become one of the key transport hubs of the region,” Aliyev said. “Both the Zangezur and Araz corridors will pass through this area. The future of Karabakh and East Zangazur is bright – and today’s progress is the proof.”
With new housing, roads, mosques, and solar plants, Azerbaijan’s post-war reconstruction is moving at an unprecedented pace – turning once-devastated lands into thriving centers of life, energy, and hope.
