On Tuesday, a Turkish Air Force C-130 military cargo aircraft, carrying 20 individuals, crashed in Georgia's Sighnaghi municipality, which is situated near the Azerbaijani border. Reports from Turkish and Georgian authorities indicate that the plane had recently taken off from Azerbaijan before meeting with disaster during its return journey to Turkey. Search and rescue operations are actively underway, with officials from Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan collaborating to locate survivors and assess the situation. Though no confirmations regarding casualties have been made available, the Turkish Defence Ministry has confirmed the presence of 20 military personnel, including crew members, on board the aircraft. Video footage from Turkish news outlets shows the plane spiralling while emitting white smoke prior to its crash. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his sorrow about the incident, referring to those on board as “martyrs” and wishing for the least amount of devastation possible as recovery efforts continue. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by Georgian officials. The C-130 Hercules is a crucial element of Turkey's military capabilities, widely utilized for various logistical and personnel transportation tasks. Turkey’s strong defense alliance with Azerbaijan involves regular joint military training exercises, further emphasizing their collaborative efforts in regional stability.