Erdogan stresses national unity, vows end to terrorism at AK Party Congress

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a significant speech during the AK Party‘s eighth Diyarbakir Provincial Congress at Seyrantepe Sports Hall, focusing on Türkiye’s counterterrorism measures and recent initiatives to end terrorism permanently.

He emphasized that these efforts are not targeted at Türkiye’s Kurdish citizens but aim to safeguard national unity and security.

Erdogan underlined Türkiye’s pivotal moment in combating terrorism, stating that recent initiatives aim at one clear outcome: the complete disbandment of terrorist organizations, the surrender of their arms, and the final closure of a half-century-long era of separatist terrorism.

He stressed that these efforts have nothing to do with Türkiye’s Kurdish citizens but are about removing one of the last major barriers to achieving a great and strong Türkiye. The president added that these efforts are crucial to bolstering national unity and security.

Erdogan highlighted the profound human and financial toll of terrorism over the past four decades. Thousands of lives have been lost, with countless families grieving for their loved ones. Millions have been displaced and forced to leave their homes and ancestral lands.

Billions of dollars have been diverted from development projects to counterterrorism efforts. He expressed deep sympathy for families impacted by terrorism, particularly the “Diyarbakir mothers,” whose children were abducted by terrorist groups. Erdogan reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring such tragedies never happen again.

Legacy of determined resistance

Erdogan recounted Türkiye’s achievements in dismantling terrorist networks and emphasized the nation’s resilience. He stated that those traitors were buried in the very trenches they dug and declared that today, no terrorist organization can stand against the determination of the Turkish people. He asserted that Türkiye’s decisive actions have eliminated the threat of terrorism from its urban centers and remote regions alike.

Message of unity among communities

Erdogan stressed that the fight against terrorism is not an ethnic issue, asserting that this is not about Turks, Kurds or Arabs. It is about protecting the homeland and ensuring a united Türkiye. He called for solidarity among all citizens, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding and collaboration for Türkiye’s future.

Linking counterterrorism to broader national aspirations, Erdogan emphasized that ending terrorism is not just about security; it is about paving the way for a stronger and more prosperous Türkiye. He vowed to continue dismantling terrorist networks and advancing Türkiye’s development goals.

In his closing remarks, Erdogan called on citizens to unite against terrorism and work together to create a brighter future. Together, he said, Türkiye will protect its homeland, end terrorism, and build a nation that stands tall in the world.