In an address following a Presidential Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s steadfast commitment to national unity, regional stability, and the fight against separatist terrorism.

The speech, delivered on Thursday evening, outlined Türkiye’s vision for the “Century of Türkiye” and issued a sharp rebuke of Israel’s recent military actions in southern Syria.

President Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye’s determination to break free from the challenges of the past half-century, particularly the scourge of separatist terrorism, to build a future rooted in brotherhood and peace. “We are making multifaceted efforts to raise Türkiye’s prestige, grow Türkiye through brotherhood, and peacefully build the Century of Türkiye,” he declared. He stressed that these efforts are driven by a commitment to the nation’s long-term prosperity, not short-term political gains.“

My nation should know that we are never in pursuit of political gain; we are striving to secure the future of our people and our country,” Erdoğan said, addressing Türkiye’s 86 million citizens. “Whatever we do, we do it for the unity, prosperity, and peace of our people.”

Erdoğan underscored Türkiye’s willingness to take bold steps to achieve these goals, whether through dialogue, risk-taking, or, if necessary, direct confrontation. “If taking risks is necessary to these ends, we take them; if fighting is required, we wage it; if dialogue is needed, we engage in it without hesitation,” he stated.

Turning to regional developments, Erdoğan launched a scathing critique of Israel’s recent military operations in southern Syria, accusing the Israeli regime of exploiting the Druze community as a pretext for expanding its aggression. “Israel has been using Druze as an excuse to move its banditry into neighboring Syria for the past two days,” he said, branding Israel a “lawless, rule-breaking, unprincipled, arrogant, spoiled, and bloodthirsty terrorist state.”

Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering opposition to any attempts to fragment Syria, a stance Ankara has maintained since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011. “We did not consent to fragmentation of Syria yesterday, and we will certainly not consent to it today or tomorrow,” he asserted, warning regional and international actors against aligning with Israel. “Those who rely on Israel will sooner or later realize they have made a major miscalculation,” he added.

The President emphasized that Türkiye’s foreign policy in Syria is guided by principles of territorial integrity, national unity, and the preservation of Syria’s diverse cultural fabric. “A stable Syria will generate stability for all neighboring countries; otherwise, everyone will bear the burden,” Erdoğan cautioned, positioning Türkiye as a key stabilizing force in the region.

He underscored Türkiye’s deep connection to the region, describing the country as an “innkeeper” rather than a transient actor. “Those who seek a secure future through oppression and massacres should never forget this: they are merely passersby; we are the innkeepers,” he said.

Erdoğan highlighted Türkiye’s proactive diplomacy, noting that Ankara continues to engage with relevant actors to monitor developments in Syria closely. “Through our honorable foreign policy, peace efforts, and diplomatic engagements, Türkiye stands on the side of peace,” he said, emphasizing that Türkiye harbors no hostility or intent to infringe on the sovereignty of others.

The address reflects Erdoğan’s broader ambition to position Türkiye as a regional powerhouse committed to both internal consolidation and external stability. By linking domestic goals of unity and prosperity with a foreign policy rooted in peace and territorial integrity, the President signaled Türkiye’s readiness to confront challenges while fostering dialogue and cooperation.

As Türkiye navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, Erdoğan’s remarks underscore a dual focus: strengthening national resilience against internal threats like terrorism and asserting Türkiye’s role as a defender of regional stability against external aggressions, particularly from Israel. The speech sets the tone for Türkiye’s priorities as it prepares for a busy legislative and diplomatic agenda in the coming months.  (ILKHA)