President and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a firm and emotional address during the party’s group meeting at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT).

The group meeting opened under the weight of national grief following the martyrdom of 12 Turkish soldiers during Operation Claw-Lock in northern Iraq. Offering his condolences, Erdoğan stated: “I offer my condolences to our soldiers’ relatives, comrades-in-arms, and our august nation. I wish a speedy recovery to our wounded soldiers, and kiss them all in the eye. I also remember with mercy all our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the homeland, and offer my gratitude to our ghazis.”

Stressing the enduring importance of Türkiye’s national struggle, Erdoğan said: “We never have and never will forget that this heavenly country and this glorious flag have been entrusted to us by our heroic martyrs and ghazis.” He pledged that the government will honor their memory by continuing its efforts to establish a terror-free region and safeguard the territorial integrity of the nation.

Reiterating his determination, the President noted: “By achieving the goal of a terror-free region following the terror-free Türkiye, we will show to both foes and friends alike that our martyrs’ sacrifices have not gone to waste. There is not, and cannot be, any step within our counter-terror efforts that would cast a shadow over the memory of our martyrs or hurt their spirit.”

Erdoğan highlighted that the country stands at the brink of ending a decades-long terrorism issue. “Guided by the values for which our martyrs have sacrificed their lives, we are about to rid Türkiye of a half-century trouble and rip off the bloody shackles put on our country’s feet,” he declared. He emphasized that this process carries forward the national history of brotherhood into the future with greater strength.

Erdoğan also addressed the broader implications of ending terrorism, saying: “Once the wall of terrorism is obliterated, everything will be much more different. More bloodshed and more suffering will be averted. This will first benefit Türkiye in its entirety, including Turks, Kurds, and Arabs, and then the whole region.”

The President also touched upon recent political dialogue aimed at national consensus. He shared details of a meeting held on Monday at the Presidential Complex with DEM Party Deputy Parliament Speaker Pervin Buldan and Şanlıurfa Deputy Mithat Sancar. Describing the meeting as “productive, constructive, and sincere,” Erdoğan said the talks reaffirmed their shared determination to build a terror-free Türkiye.

“We are now stepping into a new phase when we will be receiving good news in the upcoming days,” Erdoğan stated, signaling potential progress. “We hope this auspicious process will be concluded successfully as soon as possible, without any setbacks and without allowing it to be sabotaged by dark circles.”

The speech, rich in both emotion and political resolve, highlighted the Turkish government’s firm stance against terrorism, its commitment to national unity, and an openness to inclusive political dialogue in pursuit of peace and security. (ILKHA)