Erdoğan: Process Initiated This Morning
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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement in the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center and noted that the operation in Jarablus region in Syria was initiated at 4 a.m. this morning (August 24). He added that the death toll following the coup attempt on July 15 has risen to 241.
“We must already solve this issue”
Some highlights from Erdoğan’s speech are as follows:
“Neither FETÖ (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization), PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), DAİŞ (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), DHKP-C (Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front) nor any forces which support these have any chance to succeed against this unity and solidarity.
“Our army and security forces have initiated the operation against the terrorist organizations in southern Syria which have constantly been threatening our country at around 4 a.m. this morning. This nation stands with its honour and pride for no doubt. At the moment, all the attacks from Syria on our country, like in the regions of Gaziantep and Kilis have unfortunately gone too far and reached a certain extent. We thought, we had to put an end to this and the process has been initiated as of 4 a.m this morning”.
“These have nothing to do with Islam”
“If the world cannot reach an international agreement against terror, whole humanity is responsible for this. Therefore a joint struggle is required. Since the beginning, we have had no other intention or taken no other action than giving a sincere hand to our Syrian brothers and sisters with whom we have strong historical bonds.
“They are raising 12,13,14 - year - old children as terrorists. They are raising those precious children as suicide bombs.”
“You won’t be able to silence our azans”
“I repeat it, you won’t be able to succeed. You won’t be able to divide our nation, pull down our flag, split our motherland, overthrow our state, silence our azans, bring this country to its knees and yoke its people”.
“Turkey will not consent to a fait accompli in Syria”
“I would like to announce our determination to the world once again: Turkey in no way will consent to this play and the fait accompli tried to be performed in Syria. We are determined to actively set hands to the issue if necessary and use every means available in order to protect the territorial integrity of Syria, and make it possible for the people of this country to be governed by their own will”.
“My words to Biden”
“Now the US President [Barack Obama] is here. This is what we will tell him: The leader of FETÖ is in your country. And he has been there since 1999. You have granted him a special residence permit. Regarding extradition; if a country wants to have someone in your country, you have to hand her/him over. Article 9 provides that”.
“Where is the 3 billion Euro?”
Erdoğan has also mentioned the refugees issue and the readmission agreement between Turkey and the European Union.
“What did they say?: ‘We will give the refugees who come to these camps a support of three billion Euro’. Where is it...this year is almost over. Where is it? Not here.
“We stand on our own feet and will continue to do so [...]”. (BK/DG)
* Photograph: Anadolu Agency (AA)