Erdoğan's 'July 15' message on August 30: 'Waste of the old Turkey'

Erdoğan stated, "Behind the increasing perception operations aimed at smearing our university lies this success of our army in focusing on its primary duty. As the success graph rises, the indigestion of the waste of the old Turkey also increases." Erdoğan also claimed, "We have compensated for the destruction caused by FETÖ members."

Celebrating the August 30 Victory Day, Erdoğan said, "I also commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms with gratitude." 

Stating that the "July 15 betrayal" was the greatest disaster that could befall a state, Erdoğan said, "We overcame the greatest disaster that could befall a state, such as the July 15 betrayal, with the least possible damage. We quickly compensated for the destruction caused by the FETÖ traitors. We also addressed the deficiencies of our army in terms of personnel, training, equipment, facilities, and capabilities."

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

Right at the beginning of my words, I congratulate all members of our Turkish Armed Forces on the August 30 Victory Day, together with you. I commemorate with mercy our dear martyrs who have been the eternal guardians of our homeland for nearly a thousand years, and I offer my heartfelt gratitude to our veterans. I also commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms with gratitude.

With the Great Victory, our nation's will for independence was registered. This victory, which paved the way for our Republic, is the holiday of our heroic army and our dear nation. Gazi Mustafa Kemal said to our victorious army in Dumlupınar, "In the Field Battle, you destroyed the main elements of a cruel army in an unbelievably short time. You are proving that you are worthy of the sacrifices of our noble nation. The Great Turkish Nation is right to be confident in its future. I want everyone to continue to show their intelligence, bravery, and effort as if competing. Armies, your first target is the Mediterranean, forward."

This evening, we will experience the excitement of the Great Victory together with a special program to be held at our Presidential Complex. We will bid farewell to the month of August with the enthusiasm of another magnificent victory. May the Almighty make our army and all our security forces victorious.

Many distinguished figures, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal, who wrote their names into history and the hearts of our nation, have been educated under this roof. Many children of the homeland raised at our Military Academy are achieving many victories, from counter-terrorism to cross-border operations. We are adding new wrists of steel to the ranks of our heroic army. A total of 989 of our students are graduating from our Military Academy this year. I congratulate each of our lieutenants who have received their diplomas and joined the ranks of our army, and I kiss each of them on the forehead. I also congratulate our instructors and commanders who raised our graduates in the best way possible.

We overcame the greatest disaster that could befall a state, such as the July 15 betrayal, with the least possible damage. We quickly compensated for the destruction caused by the FETÖ traitors. We also addressed the deficiencies of our army in terms of personnel, training, equipment, facilities, and capabilities. We re-established our military academies and vocational schools within the National Defense University in a much higher quality and more effective manner.

We put an end to problematic situations that were a burden on our army and the subject of unnecessary debates. We have come to possess a TSK that takes orders only from its state and its legitimate administrators. We see how all these steps taken have added strength to our army's power in the successes achieved in the field. Our armed forces fulfill their duties with flying colors wherever they take responsibility.

Behind the increasing perception operations aimed at smearing our university lies this success of our army in focusing on its primary duty. As the success graph rises, the indigestion of the waste of the old Turkey also increases. We are aware of what is being attempted, and we will not allow it. We will continue to disturb the FETÖ traitors and those who aspire to tutelage with our successes.