President Erdoğan: “Wherever the threat to our country comes from, we will definitely eradicate its roots.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, “Wherever the threat to our country comes from, we will definitely eradicate it to the root.”

President Erdoğan spoke at the group meeting of his party in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). He mentioned that the Republic Day was celebrated enthusiastically by 85 million people together, saying, “The joy of October 29 was also celebrated with great pride through various ceremonies and events at our representations abroad and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. I would like to thank everyone who shared our joy of the holiday by coming to our foreign missions or sending messages, all the leaders. On this occasion, I remember with mercy, gratitude, and appreciation the martyrs and veterans of the National Struggle, all our martyrs who fought heroically for the defense of the homeland throughout our history, and all our brave veterans once again.”

“We will deliver 20 Gökbey helicopters in 2026”

Recalling the despicable terrorist attack on TUSAŞ facilities, one of the greatest gains and most important institutions of the Republic, in Kahramankazan last week, Erdoğan said, “I pray for the martyrs who lost their lives in this attack. I wish the families and our nation condolences. I wish urgent healing for our injured who are still being treated. We visited TUSAŞ yesterday, embraced our employees, and conveyed our condolences and get well wishes in person. We delivered the first of our domestically developed T-625 GÖKBEY helicopters to the Gendarmerie General Command with a ceremony. By the end of the year, we will have delivered 2 more GÖKBEY helicopters to our gendarmerie. Additionally, we will deliver a total of 20 GÖKBEY helicopters to various institutions within 2026. Despite the treacherous terrorist attack they experienced, I saw our TUSAŞ employees more determined, more ambitious, and more resolute than ever. Their self-confidence was extraordinarily high. There was a sense of dedication in their eyes. I believe that my brothers at TUSAŞ will continue to honor the spirits of their martyr friends by producing more and working harder, as they themselves expressed. God willing, we will continue to support TUSAŞ and our defense industry organizations in their extraordinarily important efforts.”

“This Republic belongs to both Alevis and Sunnis”

Recalling that this esteemed Assembly began its activities in Ankara on April 23, 1920, Erdoğan stated, “It managed and directed our War of Independence and declared our Republic on October 29, 1923, after the victory. The Republic was established as a common decision of our nation, with the approval of the representatives of our nation under the roof of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. I would like to emphasize this point once again: The Republic does not belong to a certain individual, a certain group, a certain crowd, a certain sect, a certain school of thought, or a certain ethnic origin. This Republic belongs to the rich as much as it does to the poor. Just as this Republic is for the Westerners, it is also for the southerners, just as it is for the northerners and the easterners. This Republic belongs to both Alevis and Sunnis. This Republic belongs to both the right and the left. This Republic is for the majority as well as for the minority. This Republic is for everyone who considers themselves part of this homeland, this nation, and this land, regardless of their belief, thoughts, way of life, or lifestyle. And this Republic is also for the Turk; it is certainly for the Kurd as well. This Republic is for everyone who says, ‘I am an honorable citizen of the Republic of Turkey,’ whether they are Laz, Circassian, Arab, Greek, or Romani, that is, everyone living in the homeland. This Republic is the work of us, all of us. Therefore, this Republic is ours; it is the Republic of all 85 million of us. I believe that no one living on these lands, bound by the ties of citizenship to these lands, has any issues, problems, or troubles with the Republic or the idea of the Republic. The problems we experienced over the past century stemmed not from the Republic but from those who hid behind the idea of the Republic and oppressed, exploited, and betrayed it. Yes, they did this,” he expressed.

“We will continue to uphold the spirit of the Republic”

Erdoğan noted that some have engaged in discrimination by hiding behind the idea of the Republic, stating, “They hid behind the idea of the Republic and oppressed, marginalized, and harmed the peace, unity, integrity, and eternal brotherhood of this country. Our esteemed nation, with its vast foresight and boundless insight, is aware of everything. Despite all the negativity, our nation has firmly embraced, protected, and safeguarded both the idea of the Republic and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which gives it form and substance. Today, our Republic stands united, whole, strong, and upright as the common home of 85 million citizens; it is a hope and a trust for both our esteemed nation and our vast geography. With our red flag adorned with the crescent and star, which takes its color from the blood of our martyrs, and our National Anthem, which is almost the fundamental philosophical text of our unity and brotherhood, the Republic is our bright future. We will continue to protect, safeguard, and uphold the idea of the Republic, the spirit of the Republic, as long as Allah allows and grants us life and opportunity,” he said.

“The Republic was established as a result of bloody wars in the geography over decades”

President Erdoğan emphasized that the Republic was established as a result of bloody wars in the geography over decades, stating, “They imposed a map on us in Sevr, saying, ‘This will be your country.’ We said no. We said, ‘We will draw our own map.’ We said, ‘We will define our own borders.’ With the National Struggle, we drew our map with the blood of our martyrs. With our deep-rooted state experience of thousands of years, with our free will, by fighting, shedding blood, and giving our lives for our land, we built our independent homeland. Unfortunately, some countries in our close geography could not achieve the same success. In this geography, which is a remnant of the Ottoman Empire, blood, tears, war, and conflict have not ceased for a century. As the heir of the Ottoman State, the Republic of Turkey is inevitably affected by this chaos. However, the mistake is here: Those looking at the chaos in our geography have become frightened, uneasy, and have treated our Republic with the caution of a frightened bird. The fears of the past have led to closing up, limiting, narrowing freedoms, and unfortunately, producing internal enemies,” he stated.

“We are a nation that starts even our National Anthem with ‘Do not be afraid'”

Erdoğan underscored that the Republic of Turkey is not an ordinary state, stating, “We are a nation that has not just appeared on the historical scene for the first time on October 29, 1923; we are a nation that has re-emerged on this stage. Undoubtedly, October 29 is very important; it is a critical turning point in history, a new beginning. However, this esteemed nation has existed on the historical scene for centuries, even millennia, and has shaped the course of history, writing and making history. On this earth, the only nation that can intimidate and frighten is the noble nation to which we belong. The most recent and concrete example of this is the glorious resistance of July 15. With the glorious victories it has achieved in history, our nation is the only nation that deserves to walk proudly and with pride on this earth. This nation is not only the hope of itself, but also of this entire geography, the oppressed, the downtrodden, the voiceless, and indeed all humanity. If we fall, we rise again. If we burn, we are reborn from our ashes. If we are destroyed, we will stand up again, upright. Even if they cut our arms and wings, we will turn into a more robust, deeper, and stronger sapling. Let no one misremember us. Above all, let no individual of this nation be in fear, hopelessness, despair, or pessimism. That is why I say; this Republic does not fear. Fear can never be a characteristic of our Republic. We are a nation that even starts its National Anthem with ‘Do not be afraid.’ This Republic is protected, safeguarded, grown, and exalted not with fear but with courage, not with timidity but with self-confidence, not by narrowing but by expanding, not by excluding but by including, not by dividing but by embracing. The essence of our Republic is brotherhood; what will undoubtedly keep it standing forever is our unhesitating, unquestionable brotherhood,” he said.

Erdoğan noted that the Republic has made significant strides in 101 years, stating, “A country that has come out of war is, thank God, today the 11th largest economy in the world according to purchasing power parity. We have developed every corner of our country; we have equipped our homeland with schools, universities, hospitals, roads, bridges, and tunnels. While protecting our independence, we have firmly preserved our claims and ideals. The distance we have covered in the defense industry alone is the most meaningful indicator of how far our country has come.”

“Those who exploit neglect and suffering have exploited problems by any means necessary”

Erdoğan noted that there have been periods when the true children of the Republic were subjected to discrimination and marginalization, stating, “They were ignored, sidelined, and mistreated. In the last century, we have indeed seen many beautiful days, but we have seen more sorrow, pain, tears, and oppression. When we founded our AK Party 23 years ago, on August 14, 2001, our greatest aim, our greatest ideal was to embrace the state and the nation, to unite the republic with the republic, and to further elevate the brotherhood of our nation. In this country, religious people were treated as second-class citizens; we courageously addressed this and put an end to discrimination. The voice of the poor was unheard; we became the voice, the breath of the destitute, we held their hands, and helped them get back on their feet. Our Alevi brothers had issues; we took sincere steps to resolve them. Non-Muslims had issues, and we made brave moves to embrace them with the state. They put many obstacles in front of us to sabotage all of this, incited the masses, and attempted coup d’état. Those who exploited the neglect and suffering have exploited problems by any means necessary. However, we did not falter, we did not collapse, we did not stop, and we never gave up on growing brotherhood,” he stated.

“We will simultaneously enhance brotherhood”

Erdoğan stated that when they came to power, there was a serious negligence throughout the country, especially in the eastern and southeastern provinces, saying, “No one can deny that we have made the largest investments in history in our eastern and southeastern provinces, along with the entire Turkey, with its infrastructure, superstructure, and production. We have taken the biggest steps in expanding rights and freedoms. While doing this, we said we would drain the swamp of terrorism and its sources; we will simultaneously enhance brotherhood. For the past 22 years, we have walked steadily in the same direction, in the same vein. We have done, tried, and experienced everything necessary to enhance the brotherhood between Turks and Kurds. However, each time we faced a wall, a betrayal, a treachery. Those who thrive on the problem prevented its solution. Those who benefit from terrorism did not want terrorism to end. Those who thrive on violence did not consent to the end of violence. Those who saw that with the strengthening of brotherhood, Turkey would grow in every way set barriers in front of brotherhood, laid traps, and activated their hidden apparatuses,” he expressed.

“We have paid a heavy price”

Stating that they have paid a heavy price, Erdoğan said, “We experienced many disappointments, witnessed many betrayals, and literally were stabbed in the back. However, we did not lose hope, we did not lose our sincerity, we did not give up on good intentions, and we never deviated from the law of brotherhood. We have never shied away from doing whatever is necessary for the bright future of Turkey and our nation, and we will not. Because this is an issue that will affect the lives of entire generations, not just a period or a segment. God willing, if my Lord grants life and opportunity, we aim to completely remove this issue from the agenda of our country and crown our 40 years of political life spent in the service of the nation,” he stated.

Erdoğan pointed out that Turkey is in a very different place today compared to yesterday, saying, “With the Presidential Government System, we have strengthened the harmony and coordination among the state and its institutions. Especially, we have cleaned and are cleaning the treacherous FETÖ terrorist organization that has infiltrated our army, police, and intelligence. We have lifted all tutelages over the will of the nation. Thanks to our initiatives in the defense industry, we have made significant progress in the fight against terrorism. Most importantly, after the bloody coup attempt of July 15, we established the People’s Alliance, adding strength to our state and providing confidence to our people. The People’s Alliance has been our strongest line of resistance against many attacks and anti-democratic initiatives that our country and democracy have faced in the last 7-8 years.”

“Our interlocutor is our nation”

Stressing that Turkey is stronger than ever before, Erdoğan said, “To solve our chronic problems, especially the plague of terrorism, to strengthen brotherhood, and to grow Turkey on the axis of brotherhood, an unprecedented opportunity has presented itself to us again today. From here, I would like to express my greetings and gratitude on behalf of my group and our esteemed nation to our ally in the People’s Alliance, the Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, Mr. Devlet Bahçeli; he is a leader who always leaves a mark in history with his attitude, speech, discourse, and politics, with his wisdom and experience, with his courageous statements and intelligent sentences. He has explained what love for the homeland, love for the nation, passion for the Republic, and most importantly, nationalism mean in the clearest, most explicit, and striking manner, for those who can understand, for those who can focus on the essence. Those who read the latest calls of the MHP Chairman in this context can see the historical opportunity window that has opened before us and are excited about it. In contrast, those who follow their personal and group agendas instead of the common interests of the country and the nation continue to flounder in the swamp of inconsistency and empty words. Let it be known that our interlocutor is our nation. We know that our nation supports our approach to take the necessary steps for Turkey to rid itself of the burden of terrorism and to stay away from the instabilities happening in the world and the region. The rest is mere talk and drowning in rhetorical lust.”

“Wherever the threat to our country comes from, we will definitely eradicate it to the root”

President Erdoğan stated, “We have no call to the separatist terrorist organization in northern Iraq and Syria, nor to the terrorist barons in Kandil who feed on blood. Their persistent attempts to engage us in dialogue are nothing but an effort to prove themselves to their patrons who hold their strings. The treacherous and despicable attack on TUSAŞ has once again shown that the only language terrorists understand is uncompromising struggle against terrorism. We will resolutely continue our fight against terrorism in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and everywhere it exists, especially in Europe, and wherever the threat to our country comes from, we will definitely eradicate it to the root. God willing, in the upcoming period, we will have new announcements to guarantee the safety of all our southern borders and the security of our people’s lives and property.”

“I want to believe that Özel will stand by brotherhood”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that a political party that still cannot escape the yoke of terrorism and has yet to show the desire and will to become part of Turkey has indicated its position with its recent statement, saying, “It should be very clear that Turkey cannot compromise with entities that support terrorism, back terrorism, speak for terrorism, serve enmity instead of brotherhood, serve anarchy instead of democracy, and serve lawlessness instead of law. Politics with terrorism and democracy with violence cannot coexist; they cannot be found in the same pot. You cannot carry terrorism in one armchair and civil politics in another. Those who do not enter the law and democracy will receive their due within the law and democracy, and they have received it and will continue to receive it. Here, I would like to convey my appreciation to the Chairman of the Republican People’s Party, Mr. Özgür Özel. I congratulate Mr. Özel for expressing openly and with candor our policy that ‘the state should be the state of everyone, the state should embrace everyone equally,’ which we have always stated since the founding of our party, even if it is 23 years late. I want to believe that under the leadership of Mr. Özel, the CHP will stand in the right place at this important turning point in history and will stand by brotherhood. As I mentioned earlier, while conditions within Turkey have become favorable, I say once again, you will learn what lawlessness is. You will learn that where there is lawlessness, there is no justice. Where there is lawlessness, there cannot be a just form of governance. You must learn these things. In a geography that has turned into a ring of fire, while members of the terrorist organization are wreaking havoc in Esenyurt, why are you disturbed by that? You should not be disturbed by that. On the contrary, you should support the current administration here. We will not retreat from the steps we take simply because your esteemed self is disturbed by them. While borders in our region are being redrawn, let it not be forgotten that our main interlocutor in preserving our eternal brotherhood is indeed our Kurdish brothers themselves. Mr. Özel, my Kurdish brother has been seeing the game played through the separatist terrorist organization for 40 years now.”

“Those who advocate for LGBT perversion are the eternal enemies of my Kurdish brother”

Pointing out that the flags of Israel waved alongside the flags of the terrorist organization during a demonstration in Europe the day before, Erdoğan said, “Which Kurdish brother can ignore this vile collaboration? Those who walk side by side with the occupiers of Jerusalem, baby killers, genocidal maniacs, and imperialists, who do not feel the slightest shame over this, cannot be the descendants of the conqueror of Jerusalem, Saladin. Those who advocate for LGBT perversion, which is a project of the West to corrupt humanity, are the eternal enemies of my Muslim Kurdish brother. At this point, I would like to remind you of the quote from the late Ziya Gökalp by Mr. Bahçeli; ‘The love between Turks and Kurds is a religious and political obligation for both sides. If a Turk does not love Kurds, he is not a Turk. If a Kurd does not love Turks, he is not a Kurd.’ Just like Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, we have expressed a similar sentiment throughout our lives. We have always said that ‘Turks cannot live without Kurds; Kurds cannot live without Turks, cannot exist, cannot sustain their existence.’ We have said this with our hearts, with our sincerity, with love, with good intentions.”

“We will close the chapter of enmity opened by our adversaries”

Erdoğan noted that during the recent ceremonies commemorating the 953rd anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory in Ahlat, they expressed this truth once again with their bodies, souls, languages, and the historic image they presented. He stated, “In Alparslan’s army, there are Turks, Kurds, and Arabs. The Malazgirt Victory is a common victory for both Turks and Kurds. This victory has built a homeland in Anatolia not only for Turks and Kurds but for the brotherhood of Turks and Kurds. From Malazgirt to the National Struggle, we jointly defended our common homeland, our land, our honor, and our brotherhood. They have long wanted to separate us from each other because they want to take revenge for Malazgirt; they are seeking revenge for the conquest of Jerusalem. As the poet says: ‘They are vipers and scorpions; they are the ones who covet our food, our bread; know them, and do not pretend not to know them.’ This nation, without making any distinction, is the most faithful, the most unshakeable, the most invincible power in the world, together with all its individuals. They are trying to disrupt, scatter, weaken, and collapse this from within. We will not fall into this trap. We will not please the common enemy. We will not give passage to those who try to disrupt our brotherhood. We will close the chapter of enmity opened by our adversaries. We will heal the wounds of the past together. We will continue to write history together. For all these years, we have fought for the freedom of every segment in Turkey, especially for the independence, honor, and dignity of our Kurdish brothers. Thank God, we have come to places that were unimaginable in many areas. So far, we have solved many issues together with common sense. Now, as a country and a nation, we have gained a much greater opportunity with Mr. Devlet Bahçeli and the Nationalist Movement Party, our ally in the People’s Alliance, putting not just one hand but their entire body under the stone.”

“Come, let us show who the true owner of that authority is to the terrorist barons”

Emphasizing that the opportunity window opened before them should be well evaluated by the political institution representing the nation and its legitimate representatives to strengthen the inner front against friends and foes, Erdoğan stated, “Please do not forget that as 85 million, our food is one, our bread is one, our qibla is one, our homeland, our land is one, our flag, our anthem is one, our state is one, and most importantly, our past is one, our future is one, our destiny is one. From here, I call out from our Gazi Assembly, from the podium of the nation; dear Kurdish brother, we expect you to sincerely hold this hand tight. We expect you to distance those who act as agents of Zionist Israel, who serve as puppets of imperialism, and those who act as tools for the enemies of Turkey. Dear Kurdish brother, we want you to stand up for your faith, your Islam, your call to prayer, your homeland, your land, and the law of brotherhood. We say, let us build the Turkey Century together. We say, let us build a bright, prosperous, and brotherly future together under the roof of the Republic of Turkey, in the shadow of our red flag. We established the Republic together 101 years ago. This Republic is as much yours as it is mine. Come, let us make the Republic a refuge of peace for all of us. Come, let us remove those who clench their fists. Come, let us undermine the ground of those who legitimize terrorism and lean on the mountain. Come, let us show who the true owner of that authority is to those who hand over the authority given by the nation to the terrorist barons.”