Two families returned to the Agdere region

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Two families of internally displaced persons returned to the village of Ashagi Oratag and were given keys to their private homes.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Azerbaijanis from Karabakh settlements were forced to leave their homes after the start of the First Karabakh War. The return of Azerbaijani displaced persons began after Azerbaijan took control of these territories. By March 11, 2026, 7,541 families (30,261 people) had returned to 41 settlements in the former Karabakh conflict zone.

On May 16, two IDP families returned to the village of Ashagi Oratag in the Aghdere district, Oxu.az reports, citing the Reconstruction, Construction, and Management Services in the city of Khankendi, Aghdere, and Khojaly districts.

The IDPs were given the keys to their restored individual residential buildings. A special ceremony was held with the participation of several officials.

As a reminder, nine families resettled to the village of Ashagi Oratag on April 14; the previous resettlement phase took place in February. All displaced persons were instructed on mine safety issues and were given relevant informational booklets.

In November 2023, Azerbaijani authorities announced plans to return 34,500 families (140,000 people) to the former Karabakh conflict zone by the end of 2026. Despite the construction of roads, energy facilities, and housing, the pace of resettlement is being hampered by mine danger, a lack of jobs, and unresolved land use issues, analysts noted in April 2026.

Azerbaijani residents who returned to Karabakh told the "Caucasian Knot" that they are settling in and finding work. Despite persistent problems with employment and infrastructure, IDPs report improved living conditions. Previously, they complained about the difficulties of returning to Karabakh. In particular, they noted a shortage of jobs in Fizuli. People are seeking opportunities to return to their homelands, but property issues in the territories under Azerbaijani control have not yet been resolved, IDPs noted.

On September 19-20, 2023, Azerbaijan conducted large-scale military operations and took control of the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which began a mass exodus of the Armenian population. By October 7, 2023, 100,632 IDPs from Nagorno-Karabakh had arrived in Armenia, and by September 2024, only 14 Armenians remained in the region. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "The Beginning and End of the Unrecognized Republic of Artsakh".