President Aliyev Tours Reconstruction Projects in Khankendi, Shusha

On Thursday, President Ilham Aliyev visited the cities of Khankendi and Shusha in the Karabakh region to assess the progress on several renovation and reconstruction projects.

As part of his tour, President Aliyev examined the construction of the Aghdam-Asgaran-Khojaly-Khankendi highway, a major 33.6-kilometer road project.

The highway will include five bridges, two crossings, and water pipelines, among other infrastructure. It aims to improve regional transportation, benefiting agriculture and tourism in the area.

The new route will allow travelers from Barda to reach Khankendi, Shusha, and Lachin more efficiently, bypassing the city of Aghdam.

In Khankendi, President Aliyev also reviewed renovation work at the Bulud Hotel, which will offer 44 rooms across five floors. Once complete, the hotel is expected to employ over 50 people and serve as part of the broader “Khankendi” Hotel Complex.

Additionally, President Aliyev participated in the reopening of Nizami Ganjavi secondary school and the inauguration of nursery-kindergarten. Both educational institutions have undergone extensive renovation, with the school accommodating 624 students and featuring modern facilities like STEAM rooms, science labs, and a sports hall. The renovated kindergarten will serve 80 children and includes various new facilities, including a sports hall and medical room.

President Aliyev also visited the Khankendi State Drama Theatre and reviewed plans for its restoration. Built in 1932, the theater holds cultural significance and is set to be restored to its former glory with key elements of its Soviet-era architecture preserved.

President Aliyev continued his visit at the site of the new Convention Center being built at Victory Square in Khankendi. The four-story Congress Center will include a hotel with 102 rooms, and facilities designed to host conferences and events.

In Shusha, President Aliyev inaugurated Uzeyir Hajibeyli’s house-museum, following its restoration after it was destroyed during the Armenian occupation.

The museum originally housed 1,700 exhibits. Following the occupation of Shusha by Armenia, the museum ceased operations and the exhibits were looted by Armenian forces, with only 136 exhibits preserved.

Restoration efforts began in April 2022 to revive the historical and cultural significance of this site.

President Aliyev also opened the newly reconstructed Flag Square in Shusha, a prominent landmark featuring a flagpole standing at 11.7 meters. The square is set to become a vibrant hub, with plans for a Victory Museum, a concert hall, and a shopping center in the works, as part of Shusha’s revitalization.

The restoration of Shusha is a key priority for Azerbaijan. The city is historically significant and is known for its cultural, economic, and administrative importance. Following 28 years of Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan is working to reconstruct the city and preserve its heritage.

The projects come in the wake of decades of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the latter's Karabakh (Garabagh) region. Armenia occupied around 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory during the 1990s, forcibly displacing million of Azerbaijanis. The situation changed in 2020 when Azerbaijan reclaimed much of the territory, including the city of Shusha, following a 44-day war.

On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched one-day local anti-terrorist operation to neutralize remaining illegal Armenian armed groups in the Karabakh region. On September 20, the Armenian separatist forces agreed to disarm, and on September 28, the illegal separatist regime in the Karabakh region announced its self-dissolution. On October 15, President Aliyev hoisted Azerbaijan’s flag in Khankendi, symbolizing the city’s liberation after more than three decades of Armenian occupation.