Vakifli, the last remaining Armenian village in Turkey, is at risk of losing a significant portion of its land, homes, and agricultural areas due to a new housing project initiated by Turkey’s Housing Development Administration (TOKÄ°). Located on the slopes of Musa Ler in Hatay’s SamandaÄŸ district, the village faces potential expropriation as part of a large-scale construction plan, reports Ermenihaber.
TOKÄ°’s proposed development in the Hidırbey and Vakıfkoy neighborhoods includes 1,353 housing units. The first phase plans for 667 residential units and a commercial center, while the second phase will add 686 more apartments, according to TOKÄ°’s official website.
Residents fear that this project will irreversibly alter Vakifli’s historical and cultural identity, endangering the Armenian heritage it has preserved for centuries. Many warn that nearly half of the village is at risk of expropriation, jeopardizing its status as Turkey’s only remaining Armenian village.
Vakifli (ÕŽÕ¡Ö„Õ¨Ö†) is the only remaining Armenian village in Turkey, situated on the slopes of Musa Ler. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and near the Syrian border, it is home to approximately 130 Armenians. The village preserves a unique Western Armenian dialect, distinct from others. Musa Ler, including Vakifli, has long been a testament to the Armenian presence in the region. Armenians have lived in the Musa Ler region for centuries, and the local Armenian population was forced to flee during the 1915 Genocide and again in 1939 when Turkey annexed Hatay. In recent years, legal efforts to reclaim lost Armenian properties have faced significant obstacles. The Vakifli Armenian Church Foundation has sought the return of 36 properties historically belonging to the Armenian community but later transferred to the state or private owners. Despite Turkey’s Constitutional Court recognizing property rights violations in 2022, these properties have not been restored.
In an interview with Bianet, a resident emphasized Vakifli’s centuries-old existence and expressed deep concern over the threat to its cultural and historical heritage.
Vakifli’s village head, Perç Kartun, stated that discussions with Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı are ongoing to clarify the situation.
The proposed expropriation has intensified concerns over the future of Vakifli and its Armenian heritage.
