Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed the nation's commitment to supporting Crimean Tatars on the international stage. This statement comes on the 82nd anniversary of the forced exile of the Crimean Tatar population.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan used the Turkish social media platform NSosyal to express Turkey's ongoing solidarity with the Crimean Tatars. He reiterated that Turkey and its people will persist in defending the rights of their "Crimean brothers and sisters" globally. Erdogan also conveyed his sorrow over the tragic losses the Crimean Tatar community endured during their forced exile and extended his prayers for those who lost their lives.

On May 18, 1944, under the orders of Joseph Stalin, the Soviet regime exiled tens of thousands of Crimean Tatars to Central Asia, accusing them of collaborating with Nazi forces. The exiled community was relocated to various Soviet territories, notably Siberia and Uzbekistan. It is estimated that nearly half of the exiles perished due to starvation and disease during the grueling journey and harsh living conditions.