Turkish, Azerbaijani leaders hail joint military drill as unity mark

Turkish and Azerbaijani leaders hailed their latest joint military drill 'Fraternal Fist' as a mark of unshakeable unity as it successfully wrapped up in Azerbaijan's capital Baku on Tuesday. Saying that the joint exercise has shown that Türkiye and Azerbaijan are like 'flesh and bone,' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told both armies over the phone that they 'have successfully carried out this exercise with the understanding of 'one nation and two states.' You gave strength to your friends and fear to your enemies.' On hand to witness the drill in person were Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and top military leaders including Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler and the Turkish Land Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Force commanders. The event was also attended by Azerbaijan's Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, as well as Azerbaijan's top commanding officers. Emphasizing that the exercise, carried out in difficult terrain and weather conditions, will help strengthen the armies of the two countries, Erdoğan also said such strength 'will be your most important dynamism in the next operations as well.' 'Türkiye and Azerbaijan will continue their solidarity and cooperation with these exercises while growing stronger for the future.' Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev also congratulated both countries' soldiers for successfully completing the drill, calling the exercise 'a manifestation of Türkiye-Azerbaijan unity. Our unity is unshakable, eternal.'