Meskhetian Turks also known as
Meskheti Turks, and
Akhaltsikhe / Ahiska Turks (; ,
t'urk'i meskhebi) are the ethnic
Turks formerly inhabiting the
Meskheti region of
Georgia, along the border with
Turkey. The Turkish presence in Meskheti began with the
Turkish military expedition of 1578, although
Turkic tribes had settled in the region as early as the eleventh and twelfth centuries.