Türkiye marks anniversary of Ahiska Turks’ Soviet exile

WASHINGTON

Türkiye on Tuesday commemorated the 79th anniversary of the exile of almost 100,000 Ahiska Turks from their homeland in the Caucasus region during the Soviet era.

“We commemorate our compatriots who lost their lives on the 79th anniversary of the exile of #Ahiska Turks and remember their cherished memories with respect,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on X.

Türkiye will always continue to stand by the Ahiska Turks, the ministry added.

Ahiska Turks, also known as Meskhetian Turks, were expelled from the Meskheti region of Georgia by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1944.

They also faced discrimination and human rights abuses before and after the Soviet deportation.

• Ahiska Turks
• Exile
• Turkish Foreign Ministry
• Turkiye