The inauguration of the “Azerbaijani Quarter” in Turkey’s Kahramanmaraş — a city devastated by the February 6, 2023 earthquake — has become another powerful symbol of the deep brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The ceremony was attended by the presidents of both countries — Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey.
The assistance provided by Azerbaijan in the aftermath of the earthquake can rightfully be described as unprecedented. “The Azerbaijani people regarded this tragedy as their own,” President Ilham Aliyev stated. “From the very first day, tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis rushed to humanitarian aid collection points in Baku and across the country to fulfill their fraternal duty. Azerbaijan immediately dispatched over a thousand personnel to the disaster zone — including search and rescue teams, volunteers, and medical staff — who promptly got to work. Azerbaijani rescuers pulled 53 people alive from under the rubble. In the two field hospitals we established, Azerbaijani doctors provided medical assistance to 3,200 people.” He concluded: “Azerbaijan has always stood by Turkey, just as Turkey has always stood by Azerbaijan. My presence here today alongside my dear brother for the inauguration of the ‘Azerbaijani Quarter’ is yet another testament to our unity and friendship.”
It is important to note that, as experts emphasize, the immediate response to a natural disaster — clearing rubble, conducting rescues, and providing aid — is only the beginning. The real challenge lies in rebuilding and restoring affected areas, which is impossible without a clear recovery strategy, financial investment, and sustained support. In this context, Azerbaijan’s decision to go beyond initial aid and take part in the reconstruction of Kahramanmaraş by building an entire residential district — the “Azerbaijani Quarter” — is especially noteworthy.
President Erdoğan also expressed deep gratitude for Azerbaijan’s support: “Today, I am pleased to declare that the fraternal hand extended by Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev has left an indelible mark on the heart of Kahramanmaraş. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this project — from workers to engineers. On behalf of myself and the Turkish nation, I congratulate the State Housing Agency of Azerbaijan (MIDA) and Turkey’s Housing Development Administration (TOKİ) for realizing this new residential complex. I wish the residents of the ‘Azerbaijani Quarter’ health and prosperity.”
This could have been a fitting conclusion — a call for both countries to never again face disasters of such magnitude. But there is another dimension. The ceremony in Kahramanmaraş carried profound symbolic significance, echoing the spirit of Karabakh. The handing over of keys to new residents strongly resembled the “Great Return” to the liberated Azerbaijani territories. Both Presidents Aliyev and Erdoğan recalled the unity of Azerbaijan and Turkey during the Karabakh War. The event also referenced the Shusha Declaration and included Erdoğan reading the poem A Letter to Karabakh by Kahramanmaraş poet Abdurrahim Karakoç — while the crowd greeted President Aliyev with chants of Karabakh Fatihi (“Conqueror of Karabakh”).
This was more than a public recognition of historical facts. The ceremony served as a reminder that the liberation of Karabakh holds political significance far beyond Azerbaijani-Armenian relations or the South Caucasus. It is a landmark event for the entire Turkic world. For the first time in over 200 years, Azerbaijan has not lost, but regained territory — marking a pivotal turning point. From now on, the events unfolding in Turkic nations will no longer follow scripts written by “great white masters.” Azerbaijan and Turkey are writing their own history — from Karabakh to Kahramanmaraş, from Shusha to Hatay. And tomorrow, new addresses may be added to this map.
