Kahramanmaraş: Testament to Azerbaijan–Türkiye brotherhood in action A symbol of solidarity built on mutual trust

On June 19, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to the Republic of Türkiye. A guard of honour was lined up at Kahramanmaraş International Airport to welcome the Azerbaijani leader. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received President Ilham Aliyev.

Earlier, the Turkish leader shared a post on his X account about the “Azerbaijan” quarter in Kahramanmaraş, which was inaugurated the day before: “Today, in our earthquake-affected region, we are handing over 49,056 homes and workplaces to their rightful owners — including those in the Azerbaijan Neighbourhood, which was built with the support of our dear brotherly nation, Azerbaijan. With this, the total number of homes we have delivered has reached 250,000,” Erdoğan wrote.

The opening of the “Azerbaijan” quarter in Kahramanmaraş stands as a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between Azerbaijan and Türkiye. This initiative represents far more than the handover of residential buildings and social infrastructure—it is a living testimony to the historic brotherhood that transforms into tangible support in times of hardship.

On February 6, 2023, Türkiye was struck by a wave of devastating earthquakes, with the epicentre located in the southeastern provinces, including Kahramanmaraş. The disaster claimed the lives of over 50,000 people, left hundreds of thousands homeless, and severely damaged critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Azerbaijan did not wait for international appeals and promptly mobilised its resources to assist its brotherly nation. Within the first 24 hours, Azerbaijan dispatched planes loaded with humanitarian aid to Türkiye, including dozens of tonnes of food, medicine, heaters, warm clothing, power generators, search-and-rescue equipment, and field hospitals. More than 800 rescue workers, doctors, and medical personnel were sent to the Turkish Republic.

Under the leadership of Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation launched a large-scale humanitarian campaign in support of Türkiye. The Foundation provided medical supplies, food, and other essential aid to those affected by the earthquakes and played an active role in disaster relief and assistance to the Turkish people.

The Azerbaijani people were among the first to respond to the disaster that struck Türkiye. Thousands of citizens voluntarily collected and sent essential supplies to those affected. An official relief fund was established, receiving donations from across the country, including contributions made as part of the Kardeş Kömək El Uzat (Extend a Helping Hand to a Brother) campaign.

Yet, without a doubt, the “Azerbaijan” quarter in Kahramanmaraş holds a special place as one of the most significant international humanitarian projects in recent years. Covering an area of 27.6 hectares, the district includes 68 residential buildings comprising 1,194 apartments, the Heydar Aliyev Primary School, a kindergarten, a cultural centre, and various other social facilities. In addition, 1,595 commercial units have been created to support families living in the district. A total of $100 million was allocated for the project, which was implemented by Azerbaijan’s State Housing Construction Agency (MIDA).

However, the true essence of the project lies not in numbers or scale. As President Ilham Aliyev has often emphasised, Azerbaijan–Türkiye relations go far beyond diplomacy: “We are not just allies—we are one nation in two states.” Azerbaijan’s support to Türkiye in the wake of the tragedy is a clear reflection of this principle in action.

The “Azerbaijan” quarter in Kahramanmaraş is not just a shelter for thousands of Turkish families—it is a symbol of solidarity, built not of concrete but of mutual trust, respect, and love. Azerbaijan’s aid to Türkiye during the days of crisis and throughout the reconstruction period stands as a shining example of how true brotherhood is expressed through deeds, not words.

As President Ilham Aliyev stated during the inauguration ceremony of the “Azerbaijani District” in Kahramanmaraş: “Azerbaijan has always been by Türkiye’s side and Türkiye has always been by Azerbaijan's side. Today, my participation along with my dear brother in the opening of the ‘Azerbaijan’ quarter is further evidence of our unity and friendship.”

Modern Azerbaijani–Turkish relations are rich with such examples of mutual support. One of the most striking instances was during the devastating wildfires that swept through Türkiye in the summer of 2021. At that time, Azerbaijan demonstrated not only its technical preparedness to assist but also the deep emotional bond it shares with the Turkish people.

When the Republic of Türkiye appealed to the international community for assistance in battling the raging wildfires, Baku responded without delay. As early as the following day, Azerbaijani firefighters, rescue teams, and specialised equipment—including amphibious aircraft and helicopters—were dispatched to the affected areas. Azerbaijan sent Ministry of Emergency Situations personnel, doctors, and volunteers. The mission included not only professional firefighters but also representatives of various emergency services trained to operate under crisis conditions. Their primary objectives were to contain the flames, protect residential areas, and assist in the evacuation of local residents.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeatedly emphasised the importance of Azerbaijan’s assistance. “Azerbaijan once again showed the world what it means to be a true brotherly nation. From the very first hours of the disaster, our Azerbaijani brothers were by our side. We will never forget this support,” he stated during one of his briefings with journalists.

Later, in one of his posts on the social media platform X, President Erdoğan remarked: “When our forests were burning, the heart of Azerbaijan was burning too. They didn’t just send aid—they stood with us as part of our own nation. I thank President Ilham Aliyev and the entire brotherly Azerbaijani people for this sincere and active solidarity.”

It is through such concrete acts of readiness and ability to lend a helping hand in the darkest moments that true brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Türkiye is forged and strengthened. The Azerbaijani District in Kahramanmaraş stands as one of the most powerful symbols of this enduring bond between the two nations and peoples.