ISTANBUL 

NATO on Friday commemorated the victims of Türkiye’s devastating earthquakes three years ago and reaffirmed its solidarity with the country ahead of an upcoming alliance summit in the capital.

Two earthquakes on Feb. 6, 2023, centered in the southern province of Kahramanmaras, caused widespread devastation across 11 provinces in southern Türkiye, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure and housing.

In a statement shared on US social media company X, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said: “As we look forward to our NATO Summit in Ankara, we remember the devastating earthquakes that struck 3 years ago, causing so much suffering,” and noted that NATO had provided strategic airlift and shelter facilities for thousands of displaced people.

“NATO stood with Türkiye then … and we stand with you now,” she added.

Türkiye will host the 2026 NATO Summit on July 7-8 in Ankara.