AGHDAM: A group of international travelers from 33 countries, led by Yves Bouvier, Head of the Piki Reels club and Belgian citizen, visited Aghdam on Saturday as part of their tour of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions. The delegation observed the remnants of Armenian vandalism and the ongoing restoration efforts undertaken by Azerbaijan following the city’s liberation from occupation.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the travelers were acquainted with the historical significance of Aghdam and the devastating impact of the Armenian occupation. At the Alley of Martyrs in Aghdam, they learned about the Azerbaijani children who perished during the First Karabakh War and the civilians affected by the Khojaly genocide. The visitors were briefed on the widespread destruction inflicted by Armenians, including the desecration of graves in the Alley of Martyrs.

During their tour, the travelers saw the ruins along Aghdam’s central street, which once stood as a testament to the city’s status
as one of Azerbaijan’s largest and most developed urban centers. The group first visited the Imarat Complex, which includes the palace of Panakhali Khan, the Karabakh Khanate’s founder. They also explored the Imarat cemetery, where members of the Karabakh khan dynasty, such as Ibrahimkhalil Khan, Mehdigulu Khan, and the poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan, are buried. These sites, like many others in the liberated areas, suffered significant vandalism during the Armenian occupation.

The travelers were informed that restoration and archaeological work commenced at the Imarat Complex after Aghdam’s liberation, involving both local and international experts. The delegation also received updates on the broader restoration and reconstruction efforts underway in Aghdam to revive the city and preserve its cultural heritage.