Türkiye, TRNC media cover launch of Azerbaijani quarter in earthquake-hit city Photo

Leading media outlets in Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have widely covered Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Kahramanmaraş, where the leaders of both nations attended the opening of the Azerbaijani quarter.

Press outlets highlighted the speeches delivered by Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ilham Aliyev, emphasising the unbreakable friendship and brotherhood between the two countries, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Coverage included President Erdoğan’s remarks on Azerbaijan’s role in addressing the aftermath of the February 2023 earthquakes, as well as the country’s contribution to the reconstruction of Kahramanmaraş.

Among the headlines were quotes from the Turkish leader, such as, “We will not forget Azerbaijan’s support.”

Separate reports were dedicated to the two presidents’ visit to a local family living in Kahramanmaraş, as well as their visit to the Heydar Aliyev Primary School located in the Azerbaijani quarter.

The quakes, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6, caused widespread destruction across the region, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and rendering large parts of the city uninhabitable.

In the aftermath, Kahramanmaraş became a symbol of resilience and reconstruction. Among the notable recovery efforts is the establishment of the Azerbaijani quarter, a housing complex built with the support of Azerbaijan.

Comprising hundreds of residential units, social facilities, and green spaces, the project was inaugurated during a joint visit by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on June 19.

Thus, with the support of Azerbaijan, 1,213 apartments, 1,782 jobs, and a school were inaugurated in Kahramanmaraş. 

The project, known as the “Azerbaijani Quarter,” formed part of a broader reconstruction initiative following the devastating earthquakes which claimed 53,537 lives, left 107,213 injured, and destroyed nearly 39,000 buildings across southeastern Türkiye.

By Aghakazim Guliyev