On September 10, local media reported that taxi services from Nakhchivan were banned from transporting passengers to Turkey’s Iğdır province, a measure that Turkish authorities had been gradually implementing for several weeks.

Drivers who violate the new rule face fines, and their vehicles are subject to a 15-day detention, taxi operators said. They explained that the gendarmerie conducts checks within a 20-kilometer control zone after customs, asking drivers for passengers’ names and dates of birth to determine whether they are operating as taxis. Those who fail the check are fined, and their cars are impounded.

Gunduz Mammadov, a taxi driver, said he had recently been fined in the same manner. He stated, "For years, we have been earning our living by transporting passengers to Turkey. Recently, they have started allowing us there every 15 days. Now, the Turkish side has completely cut off our livelihood. We not only earn our living by transporting 3-4 neighbors and other passengers, but we also do our shopping for home. Now, because we are transporting passengers, the Turkish police are not giving us a break. They are fining us and impounding our car. They say they did this based on a complaint from minibus drivers who work as taxis between the Iğdır-Dilucu checkpoint. They say that Nakhchivan drivers should bring passengers to customs, and from there, Turkish taxi drivers should take them to Iğdır. What kind of brotherhood is this? Brothers help each other in difficult times. And these people are pressuring us even more in difficult times."

Another driver, Nazim Mammadov, confirmed facing the same difficulties. He said, "Before, there were no such things; we and they could transport passengers between Nakhchivan and Iğdır. Then they allowed us to go every 15 days. Now they say that Nakhchivan taxis cannot bring customers into Turkish territory. Bring them to Nakhchivan customs, and from there give them to Turkish taxis. We don’t know what to do. Our situation is already difficult. We can’t earn our bread money. We could go back and forth at least twice a month. Now we don’t know what to do."

According to the drivers, dozens of Nakhchivan taxis are currently detained in Turkey.