World Leaders Express Solidarity with Türkiye After Military Plane Crash in Georgia
ISTANBUL (Nov 12): Nations and leaders around the world have extended their condolences to Türkiye following the crash of a Turkish military cargo plane in Georgia, which was carrying 20 people, including the flight crew.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) leadership expressed deep sorrow, with President Tufan Erhurman saying he learned of the crash “with great sadness” and offering patience to the families, loved ones, and the people of Türkiye. Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu also conveyed the solidarity and prayers of the Turkish Cypriot people for the fallen soldiers.
Several countries in the region and beyond have issued statements of condolence: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, mourning the loss of lives. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed “deep condolences” to the Turkish people and families of the victims. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) to offer “heartfelt condolences” to Erdoğan, the victims’ families, and the Turkish people, with Islamabad affirming its full solidarity with Türkiye. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry extended sincere condolences to Türkiye and the families of those lost in the crash. Jordan, Italy, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Malta, and Kosovo also issued messages of sympathy and solidarity through their foreign ministries or leaders.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte offered “deepest condolences” to Türkiye and the loved ones of all those lost, honoring the service of the Turkish Armed Forces and reaffirming Alliance support.
US Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack, expressed being “deeply saddened” by the incident, offering condolences to the families and people of Türkiye and reaffirming US solidarity with its Turkish allies.
Other nations, including Japan, France, Russia, the Netherlands, Greece, Germany, and Ukraine, also voiced grief through diplomatic channels in Ankara.
According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, the C-130 military cargo plane was en route from Azerbaijan to Türkiye when it crashed in Georgia. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. The ministry later confirmed that Georgian search and rescue teams reached the wreckage at 5 pm, securing it for examination by Türkiye’s crash investigation team.
The incident has prompted a global outpouring of sympathy, reflecting Türkiye’s strong ties with countries worldwide and the shared grief over the tragic loss of military personnel.