Khankendi city in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region returns to life after end of Armenian occupation

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AA) - The city of Khankendi situated in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region returns to life following the end of nearly 30 years of Armenian occupation.

Azerbaijan's government has initiated rapid repair and construction works in the city through the construction of hotels, recreational facilities and public buildings, as it did in all the lands it liberated from occupation.

In 1991, the Armenian military occupied Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions, including the city of Khankendi.

Most of the territory was liberated by Azerbaijan during a 44-day war in the fall of 2020, which ended after a Russian-brokered peace agreement that opened the door to normalization and talks on border demarcation.

Last September, Azerbaijan established full sovereignty in Karabakh following an "anti-terrorist operation", after which separatist forces in the region surrendered.

Azerbaijani forces liberated the city on the same day of the operation.

The city, founded by the Karabakh Khanate in the 18th century, currently hosts only workers and public officials, though cafes, restaurants and parks are also available.

The Azerbaijani government is also working to make the city a student city through the establishment of Karabakh University by President Ilham Aliyev.

The newly founded university will welcome its first students in the new academic year.

* Writing by Burc Eruygur in Istanbul