President Erdoğan: Provoking the nation through pain is irresponsible

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements following the Cabinet Meeting.

Here are the highlights from Erdoğan's statements:

As a nation, we all sincerely share our pain and the sorrow of our families. However, no matter what we do, we know very well that the fire burns where it falls; that the fire in the hearts of our citizens who have lost their spouses, mothers, children, or siblings may perhaps never go out.

In the face of this extremely difficult test, I wish all our families patience and fortitude from Almighty Allah. Of our 19 brothers and sisters injured in the attack in Siverek, 14 have been discharged. The treatment of two teachers and three students is still ongoing. Thank God, there is no life-threatening danger to our wounded. In the heinous incident in Kahramanmaraş, we had 9 deaths and 21 injured. 15 have been discharged, 3 are in intensive care, and the treatment of 6 of our children continues. I wish a speedy recovery to all our wounded from my Lord.

I pray that my Lord does not make us experience such pain again. I once again condemn the perpetrators of these inhumane attacks.

"THE FIRE FELL INTO ALL OF OUR HEARTS"

The attacks affected not only Kahramanmaraş or Siverek, but all 86 million of us. It plunged us all into mourning and grief as a nation. The fire that fell on Kahramanmaraş fell into all of our hearts.

Our cabinet members, deputy chairmen, and members of parliament have been by the side of our families from the very first moment. While emergency interventions were being performed on our wounded on one hand, our judiciary, security, national education, civil security, and intelligence units began their work on the other. The attacks are being investigated in all their aspects, with no possibility excluded.

By following the digital footprints of both attackers, it was quickly revealed who they were in contact with and what they were influenced by. As a result of detailed examinations, very important findings were reached. While 8 people were arrested in connection with the attack in Siverek, the father of the attacker in Kahramanmaraş, who owned the weapons used in the heinous act, was also arrested.

"I PERSONALLY FOLLOWED THE PROCESS"

As President, I personally and closely followed the process from the very first moment. I will continue to follow the subsequent processes closely as well. We have also taken the necessary measures regarding accounts that spread lies, manipulative, and harmful content on social media and digital communication platforms.

My dear citizens, we are facing a situation that we are truly unfamiliar with as a nation. It is seen that the troubles caused by digitalization and globalization have also spread to our country and have taken our youth under their influence. Unfortunately, every blessing has a side effect. The side effects of the internet, technology, and integration with the world can sometimes manifest themselves in this way.

I would like to draw your attention to this in particular: When we look at similar attacks in the world, especially those carried out in the United States, we see that one of the goals of the perpetrators is to terrorize society. Such villains aim not only to shed the blood of the innocent but, by doing so, also to create outrage in society, just like terrorist organizations; they aim to create anxiety, unease, fear, and unrest.

With their pedagogically problematic statements and publication lines, they have knowingly or unknowingly served the purpose of the attackers and have practically played into the hands of the perpetrators.

"PROVOKING THE NATION THROUGH PAIN IS IRRESPONSIBLE"

No one should take offense, but what legitimate justification could there be for launching a campaign against our government before the incident has even been clarified? What does it mean to put non-governmental organizations that are trying to threaten the nation on the target board while nothing is clear yet? What conscience or morality does it fit to engage in mind-reading by saying "they will blame the incident on a 14-year-old child" before the funerals of our children, who were brutally murdered, have even been held?

Our hearts are burning as a nation. However, we have seen with regret that the first thing that comes to the minds of some actors of the main opposition is to criticize Ramadan events. Irresponsible statements are being made as if they were waiting for such an opportunity. What is this rush, what is this hurry of yours?

Provoking the nation through such pain and spreading fear and anxiety among our students is, to put it mildly, irresponsible. For whatever reason, no one has the right to make our teachers, students, and families uneasy.

After correctly analyzing the attack in all its dimensions, we need to address the issue together, guided by common sense and pedagogy, without falling into outrage and without losing our common sense and composure. As a nation that has overcome many difficulties, thank God, we have the accumulation, the will, and the experience to do this in abundance.

I once again implore my citizens not to fall into the trap of tension and not to compromise on their composure.