Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that he is determined to launch a fresh offensive against Kurdish militia in Northern Syria to expand a “corridor” against “terror threats.”
Speaking in the Kurdish-majority district of Ahlat in a ceremony to mark the 951st anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert, Erdogan said:
“I declare once again to the whole world that our struggle will not end until we secure our southern borders with a 30-kilometer-deep corridor.”
He continued:
“We will continue with our planned operations in accordance with our security priorities. As we always say, we can come knocking on the door one night. And we can do this anywhere we want.
As for the significance of the Battle of Manzikert that resulted on 26 August 1071 with the victory of the Seljuk army against the Byzantine army, Erdogan identified the Turkish Republic with the 11th century Turko-Persian Seljuk Empire, saying:
“Ahlat and Manzikert is the seal of our ascent that has filled our friends with confidence and our enemies with fear. Ahlak and Manzikert constitute a symbol that will always remind new generations of the values inherent in them and the cost of having a motherland.”
Claiming that “some circles” in Turkey “disparage” history when it comes to Turkey, the Turkish nation and Islam, Erdogan targeted these circles, saying:
“Although we have doubts about their blood, faith and loyalty to the country, we will continue to explain to them what we are doing and for what purpose.
Source: Gerçek News
