President Erdogan vows to end terrorism threat, calls for national unity

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially inaugurated the Ataturk Culture, Language, and History High Institution Campus in Ankara on Sunday, marking the 86th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s demise.

In his speech, Erdogan reaffirmed his commitment to eradicating terrorism and urged the nation to unite in the face of both internal and external challenges.

Inauguration of Ataturk Institution Campus

• Erdogan praised the new institution, noting that it was built without any public funds, calling it “a gift to the nation.”
• He also honored Türkiye’s fallen soldiers and veterans, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle for sovereignty since the Battle of Malazgirt.

Criticism of ‘social media Ataturkists’

• The president sharply criticized individuals on social media who present themselves as Ataturk supporters but, in his view, undermine Türkiye‘s national interests.
• “The harm caused by these so-called ‘ social media Ataturkists’ is as damaging as that caused by our sworn enemies,” Erdogan said. He accused them of aligning with terrorist groups, which he said posed a direct threat to Türkiye’s security.

Reflection on Ataturk’s leadership

• Erdogan reflected on Ataturk’s leadership, suggesting that had he been able to lead Türkiye for another decade, the country would have been much stronger.
• He lamented that Ataturk’s early demise led to missed opportunities for the country’s post-war development and pointed to the negative impact of weak coalitions and ineffective leadership in the years that followed his passing.

Continued fight against terrorism

• Erdogan reiterated his commitment to defeating terrorism, announcing that Türkiye would continue its operations to sever terrorist links at its borders.
• “We will complete the missing parts of the safe zone and dismantle the 40-year-old terrorist network,” Erdogan stated, stressing that these efforts are critical to Türkiye’s security.
• He emphasized that Türkiye will not hesitate to take any necessary action to protect its citizens and sovereignty, ensuring that the fight against terrorism remains a top priority.

Call for unity amid economic struggles

• Addressing the country’s economic challenges, Erdogan expressed confidence that Türkiye would overcome these difficulties, saying, “With the measures we’ve implemented, we will emerge from this crisis even stronger.”
• He urged all citizens to unite and support the government’s efforts to secure a prosperous and stable future for the country.

President Erdogan’s speech reinforced his resolve to combat terrorism and emphasized the importance of unity in overcoming both internal and external challenges.

He called on all citizens to join together in supporting the government’s efforts to protect Türkiye’s sovereignty, defeat terrorism, and ensure its future prosperity.