"Iron Fist": Monument symbolising Azerbaijan's victory in 2020 war to be erected in Türkiye's Kahramanmaraş PHOTO

In the Turkish city of Kahramanmaraş, where an Azerbaijani Quarter is being built in the city centre with support from Azerbaijan, a monument called the “Iron Fist” is planned to be installed.

Tural Shahbazli, head of the "Azerbaijani Society for Education, Culture and Solidarity of Kahramanmaraş," stated that proposals for installing the monument in the “National Garden – Khojaly Park” in Kahramanmaraş have already been submitted to the relevant provincial authorities, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“The people of Kahramanmaraş greatly appreciate the contribution of Azerbaijan and personally President Ilham Aliyev in the recovery of the disaster zone. I am confident that the ‘Iron Fist’ monument, symbolising Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the 44-day Patriotic War and the wise leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, will also serve as another expression of the Turkish province's gratitude for the Azerbaijani leader’s policy,” he said.

Shahbazli expressed hope that all procedures related to the implementation of the initiative would be completed by the end of this year.

The head of the society also highlighted the significance of the “National Garden – Khojaly Park” in Kahramanmaraş, a decision for which was unanimously approved by the citywide municipal council back in 2019. “The opening of the park was attended by representatives of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ankara, members of the Milli Majlis, provincial officials, and members of the public from both countries,” he recalled.

Shahbazli assured that the aim of the “Azerbaijani Society for Education, Culture and Solidarity of Kahramanmaraş,” established in 2013, remains to actively inform the local population about Azerbaijan’s history, heritage, and present-day realities.

“Our society was officially registered shortly after its establishment with Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Work with the Diaspora, and in the following years, it has organized numerous events not only in Kahramanmaraş but also in other cities across Türkiye,” he noted.

According to him, before the devastating earthquakes of 2023, more than 350 Azerbaijani citizens lived in Kahramanmaraş, most of whom were students at local universities. “Unfortunately, the earthquakes, which claimed the lives of over 50,000 people in Türkiye, also impacted the region’s education system and led to the destruction of several dormitories. Our organization’s office was also destroyed. We hope, with our own efforts and the support of the State Committee on Work with the Diaspora, to restore a premises for the society,” Shahbazli added.

He also thanked the State Committee and Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Türkiye for their active assistance to the Azerbaijani diaspora. “We constantly feel the support of our state. I am confident that with the opening of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Kahramanmaraş, our capacity will expand to cover the entire region,” the diaspora leader concluded.

By Khagan Isayev