In the late 1980s, a young dentist, Nazim Valiyev, was one among many forced to flee due to escalating ethnic tensions in a region within Azerbaijan. Now, over three decades later, and with his dentistry career behind him, 60-year-old Valiyev is hopeful about returning. This hope stems from the fact that the region is currently under Azerbaijani control.
Sadly, Valiyev is not alone. An estimated 700,000 Azerbaijanis were either displaced or fled the region, known as Karabakh, during violent outbreaks beginning in 1988 that eventually turned into a full-blown war. The conflict culminated in 1994 with ethnic Armenian forces taking control, backed by their neighboring country, Armenia. However, a 2020 war saw Azerbaijan reclaim a significant portion of this territory. A recent rapid offensive has further ensured that Armenian separatists relinquished the rest of the area, also referred to as Nagorno-Karabakh.
A symbolic moment arrived when Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev, hoisted the national flag over the region’s capital, solidifying their authority. This move resulted in a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians, leaving the once-populated region almost deserted. A United Nations team, which visited in early October, estimated that the population had dwindled from around 120,000 to possibly a mere 1,000.
This whirlwind of events has stirred emotions among the displaced Azerbaijanis. Bahar Aliguleyeva, who left the capital city of Karabakh, known as Khankendi (or Stepanakert to Armenians), in 1988 at the age of 16, recalls her vivid dreams of wandering in the region’s thick forests with her neighbors. She expressed her disbelief and joy to the Associated Press upon learning of Azerbaijan’s regained control over her hometown.
Despite the yearning, returning may not be straightforward. President Aliyev initiated a program in 2022 titled “The Great Return to Azerbaijan’s Liberated Territories” aiming to facilitate the resettlement of the displaced. While ambitious plans like infrastructure enhancement, home construction, and mine clearance are underway, supported by a $3.1 billion budget allocation, the process is slow. Fuad Huseynov, from the State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, informed AP of the government’s goal to resettle 150,000 individuals by 2027. However, minefields remain a significant hazard.
Furthermore, the emotional scars of the past haunt many. Aliguleyeva remains uncertain about the condition of her childhood home, while Valiyev mourns the loss of his family residence, destroyed in 1988. Yet, their hope persists. Valiyev’s granddaughter is eager to grow up in Karabakh, a sentiment he supports with the belief that both Azerbaijanis and Armenians need to coexist peacefully and let go of past hostilities.
However, trust remains fragile. While the Azerbaijani government assures the rights of ethnic Armenians wishing to remain in the region, skeptics point to the nation’s deteriorating human rights track record. Human Rights Watch voiced concerns over accepting these assurances, given the prolonged conflict and alleged impunity surrounding war crimes.
