President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Sunday that the "issue" is not about himself and his party but "Turkey and Islam".
Speaking in the eastern province of Muş at a ceremony marking the 947th anniversary of Battle of Malazgirt, Erdoğan stressed that Turkey’s security is not limited to its borders, adding it starts wherever there is a brother under threat.
“Thus, we have to be powerful in politics, diplomacy, economy, trade and technology. Otherwise, put this homeland and geography aside, they won’t give us a single day to live in this world,” Erdoğan said.
“If we show even a small sign of weakness, or perceive a situation in that way, you will see they will come onto us like hooded crows.”
Pointing at “some unwary people among us”, Erdoğan said they assume the issue is about the president himself and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.
“No, the issue is about Turkey. The issue is about Islam, which they symbolize with our nation,” he said.
Battle of Malazgirt
Praising Turkish victory in Anatolia nearly a millennium ago, Erdoğan said the Battle of Malazgirt (Manzikert) paved the way to Europe for the Turks.
The Battle of Malazgirt of Aug. 26, 1071 saw Seljuk Turks led by Sultan Alparslan defeat a Byzantine army and open up Anatolia for Turkish domination.
Describing Anatolia as a linchpin of the future of humanity, Erdoğan said: "If Anatolia falls, neither the Middle East nor Africa, Central Asia, the Balkans, or the Caucasus will remain."
The president also called on Turkish youth to take ownership of the country’s centuries-old legacy.
“Not only were we victorious in [the Battle] of Malazgirt, we also showed the entire world what a nation we are. The young people! Protect this legacy born in the past, moving forward into the future,” Erdoğan said.
The president also said the spirit of Malazgirt is the key to the past, as well as the future, referring to Turkey's 2023 objectives, in particular.
"Turkey carries the responsibility of a big civilization, a huge history and great humanity... I expect you, [the young people] to act likewise in whatever field you opt for," Erdoğan said.
Normalize ties with US
Turkish Parliament Speaker and former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also attended the program.
During his speech, Yildirim blasted those, who try to destroy Turkey’s unity, saying: “They will never be able to accomplish this.”
“In Turkey, economic coup attempts or coup attempts such as the one on July 15 carried out by traitors have never borne fruit, nor will they [in the future].”
Referring to the Washington administration, Yildirim called for exerting new efforts to normalize the relations.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) head Devlet Bahceli, drew parallels between current events and those during the Byzantium era.
“The inspiration for those who brutally fictionalize political and economic operations is driven by Byzantium’s provocation,” Bahceli said.
“The game of foreign exchange and foreign exchange rate are the method of Byzantine.”
Political tensions between Ankara and Washington had sparked worries in markets early this month, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to use economic pressure over the detention of an American pastor who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.
The Turkish lira declined but staged a recovery recently, after positive messages from European capitals and Qatar’s decision to invest $15 billion in Turkey.
Turkey’s vice president on Sunday marked the anniversary of the Battle of Malazgirt, a historic victory for Turks in Anatolia nearly a millennium ago."I commemorate Sultan Alparslan and the glorious martyrs with mercy and gratitude on the 947th anniversary of the Battle of Malazgirt, which opened up Anatolia for us," Fuat Oktay said on Twitter.The Battle of Malazgirt on Aug. 26, 1071 saw Seljuk Turks led by Sultan Alparslan defeat a Byzantine army and open up Anatolia for Turkish domination.Turkish president marks 1071 victory at Malazgirt
Turkish vice president marks 1071 victory at Malazgirt
At least nine PKK terrorists have been neutralized as part of anti-terror operations in eastern Turkey and northern Iraq, said officials on Sunday.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.According to an Interior Ministry statement, six terrorists were neutralized in the eastern provinces of Bingol, Agri, and Tunceli. One of the terrorists, identified as Mehmet Sirin, codenamed Poyraz Agir, had been on Turkey's most wanted terrorist list. During operations in Bingol's Karliova district, one soldier was also martyred and two were injured, said a statement by the Bingol Governorship. Separately, three more terrorists were neutralized in Avasin-Basyan, northern Iraq, according to the Turkish General Staff. In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people.Turkish forces neutralize two PKK terroristsTurkish soldier martyred in PKK terror attackSuspected PKK terrorist arrested in western TurkeyTurkey, US conduct 35th round of patrols in Manbij
Nine PKK terrorists neutralized in Turkey, N.Iraq
Turkish and U.S. troops on Saturday completed their 35th round of patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a deal to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terror group.In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said forces of both countries conducted separate coordinated patrols in the region between areas liberated by Turkey's Operation Euphrates Shield and Manbij.Patrols by Turkish and U.S. troops in the region began on June 18.The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the city in order to stabilize the region.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken some 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.Should the Manbij model prove a success, Turkey will push for a similar arrangement in eastern Syria.Turkey has said the presence of terror forces near its border constitutes a threat and has launched military operations and other efforts to rid the region of terrorists.
Turkey, US conduct 35th round of patrols in Manbij
Turkish police arrested two more people on Friday for their suspected links to Monday’s U.S. Embassy drive-by shooting in capital Ankara, according to a police source.Friday’s arrests raise the total number of arrestees to four.The suspects are currently being interrogated by police, the source said.The detention period for Ahmet Celikten and Osman Gundas, the suspects arrested on Monday, was extended, it added.According to the Ankara Governor's Office, Celikten and Gundas confessed to their involvement in the attack.On Tuesday, Turkish security forces said the suspects were drunk at the time of the attack.
Turkey arrests 2 more suspects in US Embassy gun attack