Kingdom of Bahrain Sends Condolences After Turkish Plane Crash

Bahrain stands with Turkey as investigations continue into the deadly crash.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has expressed its deepest sympathy and solidarity with Turkey following the crash of a Turkish military cargo plane near the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan, which claimed the lives of 20 servicemen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed Bahrain’s sincere condolences to the government and people of Turkey, as well as to the families of the victims, in this tragic loss.

According to the Turkish Ministry of Defence, the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft, which had departed from Azerbaijan on the way to Turkey, crashed in the Georgian municipality of Signagi, in the Kakheti region. Investigators continue to work to determine the cause of the accident, which is regarded as the deadliest military aviation incident in Turkey since 2020. Early footage from the crash site shows twisted pieces of metal scattered across a grassy hill, while unverified social media clips appear to show the aircraft breaking apart in mid-air before catching fire upon impact.

Victims and International Reactions

The Ministry of Defence in Turkey released the names of the 20 servicemen who perished in the crash. In response, leaders of Azerbaijan and Georgia, along with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, offered their condolences, while the United States Ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Barrett, expressed his country’s solidarity. Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler also held discussions with his Georgian and Azerbaijani counterparts and the Chief of Staff of Azerbaijan to coordinate search and rescue operations. The manufacturer of the C-130, Lockheed Martin, extended its condolences and reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Turkey in any way during the investigation. The C-130 Hercules, widely used by air forces around the world, is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft capable of operating from unprepared runways. Its versatile design also allows it to be used for combat operations, air assaults, and reconnaissance missions, making it one of the most prominent tactical airlift aircraft in service today.

Bahrain’s expression of sympathy highlights the Kingdom’s solidarity with international partners in times of tragedy, reflecting its continued commitment to supporting regional stability and humanitarian concerns.