"No one can object to Türkiye taking necessary measures for its own security"
Presidency of The Republic of Turkey
16.01.2024
Delivering remarks following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting, President Erdoğan drew attention to Türkiye's determination to continue its anti-terror operations, and said: "Since the promises made to us are not being fulfilled, no one can object to Türkiye taking necessary measures for its own security. No one can expect us to stand idly by while the separatist traitors are being bolstered under various excuses. In the months ahead, we will definitely take new steps in this direction, regardless of who says what."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the Presidential Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Complex.
Wishing Allah's mercy on the soldiers who died a martyr's death in the fight against terrorists in the Operation Claw-Lock Zone, President Erdoğan offered his condolences to the fallen soldiers' families, relatives and comrades-in-arms, and a speedy recovery to the injured soldiers who are currently under treatment.
"WE HAVE INSTRUCTED OUR SECURITY UNITS TO DESTROY ANY TERRORIST ELEMENTS THEY DETECT"
Stressing that attacks on the Turkish soldiers have not gone unpunished, President Erdoğan stated that 114 terrorist targets have been hit during the air operations carried out in the last five days alone, with 78 terrorists neutralized. "Our National Intelligence Organization has destroyed a total of 60 critical infrastructure and ammunition facilities owned by the terrorist organization since January 12. 465 people associated with terrorism have been detained since the beginning of the year in the operations of our police and gendarmerie units. We have reviewed the current situation in the field during the narrow-scoped security meeting we held on Saturday. We have instructed our security units to destroy any terrorist elements they detect, regardless of who is next to, in their vicinity, or behind them. During today's cabinet meeting, we have thoroughly addressed the recently-escalating terrorist attacks, along with other issues."
"ATTEMPTS TO BOLSTER THE PKK TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HAVE GAINED MOMENTUM"
Underlining that Türkiye's strategy to eliminate terrorism at its source disturbed the most those who seek to establish a terror state in the region, President Erdoğan said: "As Türkiye has eliminated terrorist ringleaders at places where they feel safe, attempts to hinder our country have further intensified. Attempts to bolster the PKK terrorist organization by providing it with weapons, ammunition, training and protection have gained momentum. We know it quite well that these attempts, which have failed as a result of Türkiye's cross-border operations in Syria and Iraq, still continue persistently."
"TÜRKİYE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THROUGH SUCCESSFUL CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS THAT IT WILL NOT ALLOW SURGERY ON ITS TERRITORY"
Stressing that Türkiye's cross-border operations not only ensured peace and security along the country's southern borders but also ripped apart the scenarios aimed at encircling Türkiye with a terror corridor, President Erdoğan stated: "These operations have also ensured that 3 or 4 million would-be refugees who could have emigrated because of terrorists' oppression have stayed on their own lands. Our cross-border operations have also foiled plots aimed at dragging Türkiye into internal turmoil through a wave of irregular migration. Over 620 thousand Syrians, who had stayed in our country with temporary refugee status, have returned to their country. With the resources feeding it cut off, the terrorist organization, which is unable to recruit new members and is being crushed under our security forces' constant pressure on the ground, couldn't find the opportunity to implement the separatist role assigned to itself. Our military presence beyond our borders is critical to the security of our country and the peace of our citizens. There is no going back from this."
"The picture before us is quite clear. Türkiye will either eliminate the terror threat at its source or will conduct anti-terror war within its borders, in the streets and avenues of its cities, as had been the case in the past. We can never allow our country to face such a possibility. That is to say that, we need to wage this fight resolutely not only for our own security but also to allow our children to grow up in a terror-free environment," underscored the President, adding that Türkiye has made it clear through successful cross-border operations that it will not allow surgery on its territory.
"OUR OPERATIONS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL WE HAVE SECURED EVERY INCH OF THE NORTHERN IRAQ MOUNTAINS"
Noting that what is on Türkiye's agenda is how to expand the cross-border operations rather than narrow them, President Erdoğan said: "We cannot feel in peace so long as bloodthirsty terrorists maintain their presence in Iraq or Syria. As long as the imperialists' plans to establish a 'terroristan' in Iraq and Syria are on the table, none of us can feel secure. Our operations in this region will continue until we have secured every inch of the Northern Iraq mountains, which are the source of terrorist acts that hurt our citizens for nearly 40 years. Similarly, we will not stop until we have destroyed all of the terrorist nests established with insidious intentions in Syria, from Tell Rifaat to Ayn al-Arab, Al-Hasakah to Manbij."
Drawing attention to the unfulfilled promises made to Türkiye regarding these regions, President Erdoğan stated: "Since the promises made to us are not being fulfilled, no one can object to Türkiye taking necessary measures for its own security. No one can expect us to stand idly by while the separatist traitors are being bolstered under various excuses. In the months ahead, we will definitely take new steps in this direction, regardless of who says what, what threats they utter, or what aspirations they run after."
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