Aliyev presides over military parade; Erdoğan and Shehbaz Sharif attend as guests — Turkic Digest

What’s happening in the Turkic world? Over the past week, several notable events took place across the Turkic-speaking countries, particularly in Central Asia. In this edition of Turkic Digest, we focus on compelling incidents from the region and on stories concerning communities of Turkic people living and working abroad.

Military parade marks victory in the Karabakh war

On 8 November, a large military parade was held at Azadliq Square in Baku to mark the fifth anniversary of the victory in the “Patriotic War” against Armenia. The event was attended by President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and a number of foreign guests, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The parade opened with the national anthems of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan. This was followed by a minute of silence in memory of national leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs. Defense Minister Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov reported to President Ilham Aliyev, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Opening the parade, Aliyev recalled historical events and said: “Armenians once said, ‘We will drink tea in Baku.’ Now they are indeed drinking tea here. Armenian military criminals are being tried in Baku and are drinking Azerbaijani tea in pre-trial detention. We have returned to Karabakh and East Zangezur — the lands of our ancestors — and the flag of Azerbaijan will fly here forever.”

Aliyev expressed gratitude to Erdoğan for his support and assistance during the war, saying Azerbaijan would not forget Turkey’s help.

“My dear brother Erdoğan supported Azerbaijan from the earliest hours of the Second Karabakh War. His words that ‘Azerbaijan is not alone’ sent a message to the whole world. The Azerbaijani people will never forget this assistance,” Aliyev said in his speech.

According to Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s victory was possible because “the country spent thirty years preparing to reclaim its lands: building a strong economy, pursuing an independent foreign policy, and creating a modern army.”

He added that the reconstruction of war-torn areas is proceeding rapidly and that some 60,000 people now live in the region.

Turkish President Erdoğan also delivered remarks at the parade, saying the past must not be allowed to repeat itself.

“We will not be enraged and will not allow past suffering to recur,” the President said.

Following the speeches, columns from all units of the Azerbaijani army marched through the square, and modern tanks, armored vehicles, long-range missile systems and artillery were displayed. Units from the Pakistani Armed Forces and a ceremonial battalion from the Turkish Presidential Guard also took part. More than 3,000 personnel participated and nearly 150 pieces of equipment were exhibited. Among the hardware paraded were modern Azerbaijani and Turkish military platforms, including Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones.

At the parade’s conclusion, Azerbaijani drones and Turkish Air Force F-16 fighters flew over the city. Helicopters carried the flags of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Pakistan, as well as a portrait of Heydar Aliyev, across the skyline.

Since 1991, the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic had been administered with support from Yerevan and occupied parts of Azerbaijan’s traditional districts. Baku had long aimed to restore control over the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. Those aims were realized in 2020: seven districts and parts of Karabakh were returned to Azerbaijan after the 44-day Second Karabakh War, which lasted from 27 September to 10 November 2020. According to official Azerbaijani statements, the war’s objectives included restoring territorial integrity, liberating areas occupied by Armenian forces, and returning refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. A trilateral ceasefire statement was signed on 10–11 November 2020 with Russian mediation.

On 3 December 2020, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree declaring 27 September a Day of Remembrance. By another presidential decree, the day Shusha was liberated — 8 November — is celebrated in Azerbaijan as Victory Day.

Despite years of intense tension and hostile rhetoric between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the two sides showed commitment to normalizing relations in August 2025 by signing a Declaration on Peaceful Relations at the White House, mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Gas leak again at the Boysun field

Events in Uzbekistan were also eventful over the past week. A gas leak reoccurred at a well in a mine that has become familiar to many Uzbeks — the “25th Anniversary of Independence” field in Boysun district, Surxondaryo region. On 2 November, the flame at gas well No. 202 was observed to have temporarily extinguished. Experts said a geological process in the field caused the phenomenon. To prevent the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere, the gas was quickly re-ignited. The Ministry of Energy said this response is a standard safety measure and complies fully with international industrial safety requirements.

This is not the first time gas has gushed from this field. Earlier, there were several incidents of high-pressure gas releases. For example, in May of this year the same well experienced a high-pressure eruption of gas with a high hydrogen sulfide content, which produced a fountain-like blowout. At that time the ministry said the incident did not pose a threat to nearby settlements.

In March, a similar problem was also recorded at this same well.

On another well at the field — No. 604 — during drilling operations on 1 September 2024 a technological malfunction led to a hydrogen sulfide gas outbreak. That incident resulted in fatalities: four people died and 11 were injured. The deceased were employees of a contracting organization working at the field.

School principal attempts self-immolation with gasoline

Staying in Surxondaryo, another disturbing incident involved School No. 39 in Qumqo‘rg‘on district. A video circulated on social media showing the school’s former principal attempting to set herself on fire with gasoline. According to the regional Department of Preschool and School Education, the woman had led the school for 15 years, but her employment contract was terminated on 16 September of this year. On 13 October, when the newly appointed principal arrived to begin work, the former director allegedly resisted and demanded the newcomer leave; she threatened to set herself on fire if her demand was not met. The new principal is now in place and the educational process continues normally.

Migrant brawl erupts again in Moscow

On 2 November, a mass fight broke out among migrants in the Filatov Lug residential complex in Moscow. Police arrived at the scene and opened an investigation to identify those involved. The migrants reportedly used knives and even an axe. A man who tried to film the incident was stabbed in the neck; he was ordered to stop recording but managed to escape the scene alive.

Authorities did not release the migrants’ nationalities; however, the video suggests that among the participants there were Central Asians, including Uzbeks, as some of those filmed replied in Uzbek.

Turkmen official detained in Russia

At Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, Khidir Rahmonov, general director of Turkmenistan’s state-owned railway company Demirýollary, and his girlfriend were detained. Russian customs officers discovered LSD tablets among the couple’s personal belongings. Two independent sources confirmed the arrest to Turkmen.news. According to reports, Rahmonov flew from Ashgabat to Moscow on an S7 Airlines flight on the night of 4 October with his girlfriend. At Domodedovo, the woman’s provocative behavior drew the attention of customs officers; a search of personal items turned up tablets identified as the synthetic psychoactive substance LSD.

Despite attempts by Turkmenistan’s ambassador to Russia, Eson Aydogdiyev, to intervene, Domodedovo city court judge Dina Khansi ordered Rahmonov to be held in custody until 3 December.

Demirýollary was formed in 2020 by presidential decree, replacing the Turkmendemirýollary agency (now the Ministry of Railway Transport). The company manages part of Turkmenistan’s rail infrastructure, passenger and cargo transport, and the construction of railway bridges and related facilities.

Khidir Rahmonov’s brother, Arkach Rahmonov, reportedly serves as an officer in the presidential security service.

Large explosion in Turkey

While Erdoğan was attending the military parade in Azerbaijan, a powerful explosion occurred at a perfume-producing factory in northwest Turkey’s Kocaeli province. The blast triggered a major fire that engulfed the building. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, rescue teams found victims’ remains. Authorities are still determining the number of casualties; so far six people are reported dead and one injured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

That is all we have for this edition. Keep following us for more updates.