World Voices Solidarity with Türkiye After Military Plane Crash in Georgia

W

orld leaders and governments on Tuesday expressed solidarity with Türkiye following the crash of a Turkish military cargo plane in neighboring Georgia that was carrying 20 people.

Messages of condolence and support poured in from across the globe as Turkish and Georgian authorities confirmed that rescue operations were underway at the crash site near the Georgia–Azerbaijan border.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said the C-130 aircraft was en route from Azerbaijan to Türkiye when it went down in Georgian territory. The wreckage was located later in the day.

“Georgian search and rescue teams reached the wreckage of the plane at 5 p.m.,” the ministry said in a statement. “The site has been secured for examination by Türkiye’s crash investigation team.”

The cause of the crash has not yet been announced.

Condolences from allies and partners

In the wake of the tragedy, leaders from around the world sent messages of sympathy to Ankara, offering condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirming solidarity with the Turkish people.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Tufan Erhurman said he learned of the accident “with great sadness,” extending sympathy to “the families, loved ones, and the people of Türkiye.” TRNC Prime Minister Unal Ustel and Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu also issued statements expressing solidarity and prayers for the fallen soldiers.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a message of condolence to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressing his “grief over the loss of lives in the crash.”

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended their condolences. Sharif, in a post on social media platform X, wrote:

“Heartfelt condolences to my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the families of those on board and to our Turkish brothers and sisters. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this moment of grief.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry reiterated Islamabad’s “full solidarity with its Turkish brothers and sisters.”

Regional and international support

Messages also arrived from across the Middle East and Europe.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry expressed its “sincerest condolences” and affirmed the kingdom’s “solidarity and full support” with Türkiye.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Kabul “sincerely extends condolences to the brotherly government and people of Türkiye, as well as to the families of the victims.”

From the West, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack said he was “deeply saddened by today’s tragic crash of a Turkish Armed Forces aircraft.”

“The United States stands in solidarity with our Turkish allies,” he said, paying tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also issued condolences on X, saying:

“We honor their service and are deeply grateful for all that the Turkish Armed Forces, and indeed all our men and women in uniform across the Alliance, do to keep us safe every day.”

European reactions

European leaders expressed similar sentiments.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he was “deeply saddened by the crash of a Turkish military C-130 cargo plane in Georgian territory while en route from Azerbaijan to Türkiye.”

He offered condolences to the families of the victims and expressed support for Turkish authorities and rescue teams working at the site.

Estonia, Lithuania, and Romania all issued statements expressing sorrow and solidarity, calling the crash “a tragic loss” for an allied nation.

Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg said on X that he was “deeply saddened” by the accident and extended “heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.”

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani posted: “Our profound condolences to President @RTErdogan, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the people of Türkiye following the tragic crash of a military aircraft.”