President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said Türkiye is entering a new period of national unity and strength, linking the country’s historic legacy to the government’s efforts to establish a “terror-free Türkiye.”

Speaking Tuesday at the 955th anniversary celebrations of the Victory of Manzikert in Ahlat, Bitlis, Erdoğan said the successful completion of the process would open the way for a new era for the Turkish nation.

“When the terror-free Türkiye process, which we signaled from Ahlat two years ago, reaches its goal, inshallah, a new era will begin for our nation,” Erdoğan said.

The president emphasized national solidarity, saying his government was working to bring Türkiye’s 86 million citizens together around a common vision.

“We are working tirelessly to unite the brotherhood of 86 million people on a single page, in a single composition, as is the case in Ahlat,” he said.

‘The road to Manzikert opened from Ahlat’

Erdoğan also highlighted Ahlat’s historical significance, describing the town as a key symbol of the Turkish presence in Anatolia.

“The road to Manzikert opened from Ahlat. The knot of Anatolia was untied in Ahlat,” Erdoğan said, adding that Jerusalem and Istanbul were conquered through the faith and historical spirit embodied in Ahlat.

The president portrayed the 1071 victory of Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan as part of a broader historical legacy that continues to shape Türkiye’s national identity and future.

He said the country must protect the heritage entrusted by previous generations while building a stronger future.

‘Terror profiteers will lose’

Turning to the terror-free Türkiye initiative, Erdoğan said those who benefit from terrorism and seek to destabilize the region would ultimately fail.

“Blood merchants will lose, opportunists profiting from terrorism will lose. Those who want to plunge our geography into instability will lose,” he said.

According to Erdoğan, the winners of the process would be humanity, brotherhood, peace and stability, as well as Türkiye’s 86 million citizens.

He said Türkiye’s efforts were aimed at removing the obstacle of terrorism and preparing the country for the future within an atmosphere of unity, solidarity and peace.

‘Great and powerful Türkiye is rising’

Erdoğan expressed confidence that the country would witness the emergence of a stronger Türkiye.

“Rest assured that we will all witness the rise of a great and powerful Türkiye on the horizon,” he said.

He added that the country had entered a new phase in which national brotherhood was being strengthened and Türkiye’s regional and global influence was expanding.

“The dawn of a great and powerful Türkiye has broken. The construction of the Türkiye Century has begun,” Erdoğan said.

Manzikert as a symbol of unity

The president's speech placed the Manzikert anniversary within the broader narrative of Türkiye’s national unity, linking the historical victory to contemporary efforts to overcome terrorism and strengthen social cohesion.

The government has described the “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative as an effort to end a decades-long terrorism problem and establish lasting peace and security. Erdoğan has previously said the conflict had cost Türkiye more than $2.3 trillion over four decades and called for the process to advance with patience and determination.

He has also said that the process must preserve Türkiye’s fundamental state structure and national values while ensuring that the sacrifices of martyrs and veterans are respected.

Erdoğan concluded his Ahlat remarks by emphasizing confidence in Türkiye’s future and calling for the country’s historic legacy to be carried forward through unity, peace and national solidarity. (ILKHA)