Erdoğan: Türkiye supports Azerbaijan’s anti-terror op in Karabakh

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye supports Azerbaijan’s counterterrorism operation in Karabakh to preserve its territorial integrity, as he addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday, where he touched upon a trove of ongoing global problems, including racism, xenophobia, the crisis in Niger, Cyprus issue and more.

Erdoğan said that Karabakh is a part of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory and the imposition of another status for the breakaway region is unacceptable.

“Armenia needs to keep its pledges, including respect for the Zangezur corridor,” he said.

His remarks followed Azerbaijan’s counterterrorism operation in Karabakh, nearly three years after fighting a brief but brutal war with Armenia over the mountainous region.

Karabakh authorities reported rockets and artillery fire along the entire front line around the mountain enclave while Baku assured a humanitarian corridor was established on the Lachin road – the only land route connecting Armenia to Karabakh – and other directions for the evacuation of Karabakh civilians.

Erdoğan warns against Xenophobia, anti-Muslim hatred

The president also highlighted the importance of fighting xenophobia, racism and anti-Muslim hatred, which have turned into a crisis, reaching alarming levels in the past year.

The UNGA session’s agenda includes sustainable development, climate issues, epidemic preparedness and conflict zones, with this year’s theme: “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity.”