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It seems to be mostly a coincidence that the Ottoman-Safavid borders mostly match the modern borders between the ethnic groups. If Musavat didn't steal the name "Azerbaijan", then the folks of the Republic of Azerbaijan would've probably been a separate ethnicity from Azeris proper. It's the naming scheme that keeps them together and separate from Anatolian Turks. This is also the same reason why Qashqais are considered a separate ethnic group from Azeris. After Iranian Azeris fell under the concocted "ethnic Azeri" identity started by their northern neighbors, the Qashqais became considered a distinct ethnic group (as opposed to generic "Turks") since they couldn't be considered ethnic Azerbaijani like the Turks of Iranian Azerbaijan.
If you look at the Ottoman and Safavid borders, you'll notice that Iraq was former Safavid territory but Iraqi Turkmens are grouped as part of the same ethnicity as ex-Ottoman Turks (maybe not always) and never grouped as part of the same ethnicity as ex-Safavid Azerbaijanis due to not sharing the name with them. So I don't think that has to do with it, at least not entirely.
Since you consider Shirvani Azeris and Iranian Azeris to be one people, do you also consider Turks from Iraq, Turkey, and Cyprus to be one people as well? Just wondering what your personal view on the matter is.
Oh, and there's something I forgot to add. Shirvani Azeris aren't descended from Iranic Azeris/Old Azeris (Medians). Shirvani Azeris are mostly a mix of Lezgic Albanians and Turks. I don't think Albanians would've been genetically distant to Old Azeris which would explain the similar genetics of Azeris on both sides of the river. This isn't really important in terms of ethnic identity, but I just wanted to mention that since it's a common misconception.
I also just noticed this was a genetic thread. Me and you briefly discussed Azerbaijanis in another thread and thought this was about their identity. Well it's not completely off-topic at least.
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