“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2025
2025
The Igdir province of Turkey borders Armenia. As a result of events that occurred nearly a century ago, the region lost its indigenous Armenian population and was subsequently populated by Turks, Kurds, and individuals identified as Azerbaijani.
According to contradictory data, the number of Azerbaijanis living in Turkey reaches several hundred thousands. Given the historical distortions promoted by Turkish and Azerbaijani narratives, it is challenging to define the concepts of "Azerbaijani" or "Azeri" in a way that distinguishes their ethnic identity and origins. However, it is evident that the Turkic population identified under this ethnic label already constitutes the majority in Igdir.
Тthe local Armenian population remained the majority until 1921, after which Kurds became predominant, followed by Azerbaijanis (as a collective label). The number of Azerbaijanis increased sharply after 1991, following the collapse of the USSR. However, their influence in this province grew significantly from the 2000s onward, bolstered by direct support from Baku.
Azerbaijanis in the Igdir province already hold territorial and municipal leadership positions and own a large portion of the local real estate. With a significant voter base and financial and propaganda support from Baku, they run in parliamentary elections and are elected as members of the Turkish parliament. In the 2023 presidential elections in the country, Azerbaijani candidate Sinan Ogan ran, receiving around 6% of the votes (2.9 million votes). Thos holding Azerbaijani citizenenship also began participating in Azerbaijani elections, voting in for Ilham Aliyev.
The active involvement of Azerbaijanis in political processes often leads to intra-community conflicts and is believed to be a factor in their occasional losses to Kurdish or pro-Kurdish candidates in elections. Currently, a branch of Azerbaijan's Consulate General in Kars operates in Igdir. In these two provinces, dozens of Azerbaijani educational, cultural, and other organizations have been established and are actively functioning under Baku's patronage.
In August 2014, during an act of aggression by Azerbaijan against Artsakh and Armenia, a petition was organized in Igdır in 2015, demanding the release of Azerbaijani terrorists captured by the Artsakh Defense Army. This initiative was coordinated by the "Azerbaijani House," an organization established in Igdır by Baku and actively engaged in anti-Armenian activities.
The Azerbaijanis of Igdır also took to the streets in 2020 during the 44-day Artsakh War, openly supporting Azerbaijan’s aggression. Given the border and economic ties with Nakhijevan, the arrival of Azerbaijani military personnel in Turkey for joint exercises is met with great enthusiasm by the local Azerbaijani population.
Although migration from Nakhijevan to Turkey’s eastern provinces significantly decreased after 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Igdır remains an important destination for Nakhijevan residents. For many, it serves not only as a route to escape Aliyev's authoritarian regime but also as an accessible location for everyday shopping needs.
It is evident that the population flow from Nakhijevan to Igdir and neighboring provinces is the result of a deliberate policy by Baku, including targeted "promotion," with the aim of Azerbaijanizing these Turkish provinces and encircling Armenia with Azerbaijanis. Judging by the repeated failures in the Armenia-Turkey normalization process and the role of Turkey-based Azerbaijanis in influencing Ankara, it can be argued that Baku has achieved its strategic objectives in the Azerbaijanization of Turkey’s eastern provinces, anticipating further gains in the future.