‘Great suffering’: Erdogan commemorates Circassian exile victims

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday posted a social media message on the 160th anniversary of the Circassian exile, saying: “On the 160th anniversary of (their) inhumane deportation from their homeland Caucasus, I share the great suffering of our Circassian brothers and sisters and remember with mercy those who lost their lives.”

The Caucasian-Russian Tsarist War, which Russia started in 1556 to conquer the North Caucasus as part of its policy of landing on the Black Sea coast, lasted 308 years.

Circassian Exile

The Russians, who advanced into the interior of the Caucasus Mountains by destroying the Circassians, compelled the surrendered Circassians to either join the Tsarist army or emigrate.

From May 21, 1864, onward, Circassian communities were deported to various parts of the world, particularly to the Ottoman Empire.

According to unofficial estimates, nearly 1.5 million Circassians were deported within a month. Approximately 500,000 Circassians perished due to the harsh conditions of the journey, epidemics and starvation.

The deportees were transported by ships from Black Sea ports such as Anapa, Novorossiysk, Gelincik, Sochi and Adler.

Most of the Circassians were resettled in Ordu, Samsun, Tokat, Amasya, Sinop, Yozgat, Duzce, Adapazari and Kocaeli in Anatolia, while some were resettled in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Palestine.

Over time, the deported Circassians assimilated with the local populations. Circassians who could not be deported to the Ottoman Empire were settled in Russian Cossack villages along the Middle Laba and Middle Kuban rivers.