Erdoğan speaks on TUSAŞ attack: 'An infiltration movement from Syria'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists' questions upon his return from the BRICS Summit.

Regarding the TUSAŞ terrorist attack in Ankara, Erdoğan stated, "We have learned that this terrorist attack was an infiltration movement from Syria."

"AN INFILTRATION ATTEMPT FROM SYRIA"

Erdoğan said, "We have specifically learned that this terrorist attack developed as an infiltration movement from Syria. Operations were carried out at 40 separate points throughout the night in response to this. It is clear that the terrorists have been made to pay a very, very heavy price with these operations."

Explaining that the necessary response was given through operations in northern Iraq and Syria, Erdoğan stated, "We will continue our policy of destroying terrorism at its source exactly as it is."

OPEN DOOR TO ASSAD

Touching upon the normalization process between Turkey and Syria, Erdoğan said, "We have made a call to Mr. Putin to take a step in ensuring the response that Assad will give to our call."

"WE WILL REACH OUR GOAL OF A PEACEFUL, SECURE TURKEY"

Erdoğan stated, "We are continuing and will continue our fight against terrorism in a multi-dimensional way, using all the means at our disposal. We will definitely reach our goal of building a bright, peaceful, and secure Turkey, where the dark and bloody shadow of terrorism is completely lifted from our country."

Erdoğan added, "In defiance of the traitors, we will work more and produce more."

"WE DISCUSSED WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH BRICS"

Recalling that he attended the BRICS Summit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Erdoğan said that global and political issues, primarily the Israeli attacks in the Middle East, were discussed and that he explained Turkey's views on these matters to other leaders.

Stating that he met with Venezuelan President Mr. Maduro, Uzbek President Mr. Mirziyoyev, Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, and Congolese President Mr. Sassou Nguesso, especially Putin, Erdoğan said, "I also had one-on-one meetings with other leaders. In these contacts, I requested support for the efforts we are carrying out on different platforms, especially the United Nations, to stop Israel as soon as possible."

Explaining that he stated in his contacts that Israeli attacks must be stopped as soon as possible, Erdoğan said, "I requested support for the efforts we are carrying out on different platforms. We discussed what can be done to develop our relations with BRICS based on mutual respect and a win-win formula."

"WE DESIRE TO ADVANCE COOPERATION"

Erdoğan continued as follows:

"BRICS countries, a significant portion of which are G20 members like us, cover approximately 30 percent of the world's surface area and 45 percent of its population. 40 percent of global oil production, 25 percent of goods exports, and 2/5 of trade are also carried out by BRICS countries. These data alone show the economic importance of the BRICS platform. Turkey also desires to advance its cooperation with BRICS in the coming period, centered on its own interests."

Erdoğan's answers to journalists' questions are as follows:

QUESTION: We are curious about the latest information regarding the treacherous attack on TUSAŞ. What would you say in terms of its timing? According to the initial statement and information, the attack appears to have been carried out by the terrorist organization PKK. Therefore, what do you think is the purpose of choosing TUSAŞ? Is there any intelligence regarding the possibility of it being externally linked due to the BRICS meeting and membership application? Allegations have also been raised that Israel is behind this attack; is there any evidence?

It is significant that a distinguished institution like TUSAŞ was chosen in this terrorist attack. The terrorists targeted not just an institution, but the peace and security of Turkey. Our heroes defended our TUSAŞ, that is, Turkey's bright future, at the cost of their lives. Unfortunately, we gave martyrs in the treacherous attack; we have 5 martyrs, and in addition, we have many wounded. Our condolences to Turkey. I wish a speedy recovery to our wounded from Allah. We will both fight these bloodthirsty monsters—there is no stopping in this regard—and we will continue on our path without ever compromising our determination to carry our country to a prosperous future. As a matter of fact, our National Intelligence Organization President İbrahim Kalın returned to Ankara immediately after this attack last night and followed all developments on-site personally.

We also continued to follow these developments from Tatarstan. Our Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, who was in Istanbul, immediately moved from Istanbul to Ankara. My Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz in Ankara and our Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya intervened in the incident immediately. All our security forces intervened against the terrorists instantly and neutralized the female terrorist who carried out the attack in a very short time. As you know, the terrorist killed herself. We have specifically learned that this terrorist attack developed as an infiltration movement from Syria. Operations were carried out at 40 separate points throughout the night in response to this. It is clear that the terrorists have been made to pay a very, very heavy price with these operations.

"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO COMPROMISE ON THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM"

QUESTION: Turkey has made great progress in its fight against terrorism. How will the fight against terrorism continue from now on? You said, "Let's build a Turkey without terrorism"; how will this happen?

It is absolutely impossible for us to compromise on the fight against terrorism. This will continue with determination, and we will continue our policy of destroying terrorism at its source exactly as it is. There is no question of compromising on this either. We have determined a struggle strategy in a wide spectrum, from the political and social reasons that cause terrorism to financial resources and external support. We will continue this strategy in a more multi-dimensional and comprehensive way. I want this to be known: terrorists are puppets, they are subcontractors. Our goal is a Turkey without terrorism. We will not compromise on this, we cannot. Our goal is a fully independent, one, whole, and prosperous Turkey.

Certainly, there is no such understanding as "doing things for the sake of it" in our current government. We are continuing our work to completely eradicate terrorism at its source. Is its source Syria? It is Syria... Then, whatever the source is there, we do what is necessary, just as we did last night. In the coming period, we will continue on our path with this same determination. We must and will clean up the seeds of discord sown in our unity, weed out these weeds, and carry this homeland, which belongs to all of us, to bright tomorrows together. There is no question of compromising on this either. Developments in our region have once again placed this reality before us. We are continuing on our path with determination toward the ideal of a Turkey that embraces rather than separates.

QUESTION: What is the status of the fight against the PYD/YPG, the Syrian branch of the PKK? Along with this, discussions about America's withdrawal from the region have been going on for a long time. If such a thing happens, the PKK will be left without protection in Syria and will be liquidated; do you have such an assessment?

The PYD/YPG, which is the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK, is especially doomed to be abandoned and left alone. America carries this terrorist organization in its lap for a while, but when that time is up, it has to leave them on their own. The efforts of the terrorist organization, which takes advantage of the instability in Syria, to enter the protection of some Western countries are in vain. This will not continue forever. Remember, the discussions about America withdrawing from the region have been going on for a long time. It has already become clear with the prolongation of the discussions that the withdrawal will be tactical, not a strategic withdrawal.

It is now a known fact that America uses terrorist organizations in the region for its own interests and the security of Israel. Is America giving all kinds of tools, equipment, ammunition, and all support to Israel in the region? Yes, it is. Is it giving money? Yes, it is. Our eyes and ears are open to all developments happening right next to our lands, and we cannot compromise on these. We will be the protectors of our own lands, their guardians. We have to think at any moment that there could be any infiltration movement from Syria or different places. Therefore, we have to take all our security measures accordingly. We are continuing our fight against all terrorist organizations in the region for our own national interests and the security of our borders. We will continue to do so.

QUESTION: You made important contacts by attending the BRICS Summit. I want to ask this: there was a discussion of a change in direction and a question mark that started after Turkey's application for BRICS membership was heard by the public. In your previous statements, you emphasized that "the desire to join BRICS is not an alternative to NATO." I want to ask about the point reached after the Kazan Summit; how do you evaluate Turkey's position? And what kind of results is Turkey leaving the Kazan Summit with?

BRICS is a large platform where emerging economies are especially together. We have to see this reality. As Turkey, we want to improve our relations with BRICS. We already have long-standing relations and togetherness with BRICS member countries bilaterally. BRICS and other platforms and international formations are elements that strengthen us economically. We cannot ignore these either. We have constantly explained that we are both an Eastern and a Western country.

Turkey advancing its cooperation with BRICS, increasing the number of our economic partnerships, and maintaining this solidarity within the framework of mutual respect is in the interest of both BRICS countries and our country based on the "win-win" principle. As a matter of fact, the bilateral meetings we held, especially with Mr. Putin as the term president, clearly reveal this. We cannot give up on this understanding due to suggestions made to us by some. We will continue on our path by making our own decisions ourselves.

QUESTION: An "alternative financial system" was mentioned at the BRICS Summit. We already know your views on this subject from before. US presidential candidate Donald Trump recently threatened that "100 percent tariffs could be imposed on the goods of countries that remove the dollar from being a reserve currency." In this case, can an alternative financial system to the current financial system be implemented?

Our goal here is not to make the existing ones compete with each other. We need to continue on our path with our local and national currencies. Mr. Trump was at the head of the United States. He may have such an opinion. At that time, we discussed all issues related to the financial sector with them. We shared these with them. Why didn't they intervene in this then? We take this step with whichever country we can with local and national currencies. Our goal here is to revive the financial sector based on the 'win-win' principle. If everyone, whether it be America or Western countries, takes their steps accordingly in this regard, we will win, they will win, and America will win. We have been advocating the policy of trade with national currencies for years. This ensures that bilateral trade is saved from the pressure of foreign currency. It prevents other countries from interfering in the commercial activities of countries. Trade with national currencies is also free trade. Likewise, the lack of diversity in payment systems increases the vulnerability of financial markets to shocks. Therefore, an alternative financial and payment system both facilitates and diversifies international trade.

QUESTION: If we exclude some countries like Italy and Spain, we see that the West remains silent about the genocide Israel is committing in Gaza and the massacre it is carrying out in Lebanon. How was the approach of other countries in the bilateral meetings you held at the BRICS Summit? What do they think about this issue, and at what point do they diverge from the West?

The countries you mentioned are truly determined on this issue. They do not compromise on supporting Palestine. We are determined to continue this solidarity with countries such as Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia in the coming period. If we take steps together, we can gain strength. Unfortunately, the West feels indebted to Israel. For example, Germany sees itself as responsible to Israel due to what happened during the Nazi era. The attitude of some Western countries is the same. Because they remained silent about what the Nazi administration did to European Jews at that time, they remain silent and unresponsive to Israel's genocide as a method of paying a debt. In other words, the West is trying to pay off debt with debt in a sense. But now they are also getting into debt against the Palestinians, and by protecting Israel, which has become the Nazis of this era, they are leaving a shameful past to their grandchildren. We expect BRICS members to provide more support to Palestine's rightful cause and Lebanon, which is targeted by Israel, and to loudly say "stop" to Israeli aggression.

QUESTION: You had initiated an initiative before the United Nations to stop arms sales to Israel. We know that you also discussed this situation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. A statement regarding this had also come from Spain, Ireland, and France. You also called on BRICS members to support this initiative. Will there be any development in terms of implementing an alliance policy on this issue and bringing similar countries together to gather them in Istanbul?

To stop Israel, to prevent them from killing babies, children, mothers, and fathers, it is essential that we cut off access to weapons. As of now, many countries, especially America and Germany, are unfortunately supporting Israel's continuation of the massacre with the weapons they provide. We have also initiated an initiative under the roof of the United Nations to find a solution to this problem and to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel. The number of those supporting our call is increasing day by day. We hope that as an 'Alliance of Humanity,' we will make this initiative successful and open a door for lasting peace.

In defiance of those who pour gasoline on the fire, we are doing our best to extinguish this fire and will continue to do so. The fact that our call for an arms embargo against Israel has also been made by countries such as Italy, Spain, Ireland, and France shows that the issue is increasingly coming to the agenda. This means that not only us, but many countries are uncomfortable with Israel's reckless, disproportionate use of force. But at the stage reached, countries led by Turkey need to raise a stronger voice on human rights and international law issues. Whatever is necessary must be done to strengthen the diplomatic ground, develop alternative perspectives, and increase international pressure, and this terrorist state that is bent on destroying humanity must be stopped.

WILL THERE BE NORMALIZATION WITH SYRIA?

QUESTION: Meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a topic that has been talked about for a while. Could a new development or a new situation be expected after this meeting of yours with Mr. Putin?

From the very beginning of the process, we have always emphasized that we are in favor of protecting Syria's territorial integrity and establishing a lasting, fair, and inclusive peace and tranquility in our neighbor. In addition to protecting our borders, this stance of ours also has a share in our understanding of fighting terrorist organizations without discrimination. Our region has turned into a circle of fire, and unfortunately, this circle is narrowing every day. Our basic expectation is that the Syrian administration will understand the benefits that sincere and realistic normalization with Turkey will provide them and take its steps accordingly. I hope we will see a constructive step on this issue in the coming period and build Turkey-Syria normalization.

Because the instability in that region has accumulated terrorist organizations and those with dirty ambitions there, just as a swamp collects flies. The only way to disperse them is to dry up that swamp and turn it into a rose garden. Russia's influence on the Syrian administration is known to everyone. We talked about all these issues, our position, and our expectation with Mr. Putin. We have made a call to Mr. Putin to take a step in ensuring the response that Bashar al-Assad will give to our call. Will Mr. Putin make any call to Assad to take this step? We leave that to time.

QUESTION: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was your guest. There were expectations regarding the lifting of the arms embargo on Turkey. He did not speak very clearly about lifting them at the press conference. Only a sales issue regarding the Naval Forces was discussed, but that was always there. Will it go beyond that? Will the Eurofighter be allowed? He did not say these very clearly. Did you receive clearer guarantees from him, what is your impression?

In our bilateral meeting with him, we saw that positive steps could be taken regarding the Eurofighter, and that both England and Germany look warmly at this business. As of now, our relevant minister friends will continue their mutual negotiations. The event is not limited to the Eurofighter. Apart from this, parts and machinery purchases in many areas related to the Naval Forces, Land Forces, and Air Forces are also included in this. We received positive approaches from him in the bilateral meeting. We are largely meeting our needs in the defense industry ourselves thanks to the steps we have taken. However, we need time for some items. We are also choosing to meet these items primarily from our allies. Time will show when this process will be completed and when we will reach the stage of supplying the aircraft. We hope it won't take too long.

QUESTION: Is it possible for you to give a little more detailed information about the meeting you held with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian delegation? Has a new topic come to the agenda regarding the search for a ceasefire in the Ukraine War and Turkey's mediation mission? Also, did you observe a new will in Putin to end this war?

Just as in my meeting with Ukrainian President Mr. Zelensky at the Turkish House in America, we saw that Mr. Putin is also looking for a permanent ceasefire. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Hakan Fidan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov already confirmed this with the meetings they held in Istanbul. In addition to the issues of reviving the Black Sea Grain Corridor and clearing mines, we saw that there are expectations regarding prisoner exchanges in the meeting we held with Mr. Putin and his delegation last night. We are currently closely following the steps towards these prisoner exchanges.

We will continue to do our best to resolve problems through diplomacy. Our desire is to start negotiations for peace between the two countries as soon as possible and to open the way to reach a favorable result. We will continue to work tirelessly to succeed in this. We continue to emphasize that there will be no winner in war and no loser in peace. This war will eventually end; our effort is for it to be completed without more blood and tears flowing.

STEEL DOME AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM

QUESTION: Recently, there have been some discussions in Turkey, especially regarding the increase of the defense industry support fund. The issue of air defense systems was discussed in this context. In your meeting with Putin yesterday, was there a situation such as the new phase of the S-400 and especially acting jointly regarding the Steel Dome Air Defense Systems that Turkey has started to establish?

We should not confuse the Iron Dome with our Steel Dome project. As for the S-400 issue, that is already a different step. Regarding the other phase of the S-400, we do not have a thought of 'what would someone say?'. We, as the government of the Republic of Turkey, make that decision. Our government sits down, makes its evaluations, and makes its decision on this issue. But as we said, we named it Steel Dome. Since we named it Steel Dome, we will also determine its calendar. We will take its step with the defense industry when the time comes. What does Turkey's opposition party or opponents say about this?

The opposition went crazy on the budget issue. They said, 'Why are you taking money from here? Why are you taking money from there?'. We provide our own resources, and when we provide these resources, we take our steps. The government of the Republic of Turkey is not in any trouble regarding resource provision. When the time comes, it takes its step, produces its resources, and builds its Steel Dome. Our priority here is to meet our own needs completely. Just as we reached the point we have reached in the defense industry step by step, we will continue to move towards our further goals with firm steps.

QUESTION: On one hand, we are reporting news of billion-dollar investments coming from China, and on the other hand, news is coming that "China complained about Turkey to the World Trade Organization." What is the vision regarding Ankara-Beijing relations? When I went in April, Chinese officials said, "We are waiting for the President in our country." Where will our relationship with China evolve?

We have ties with China that extend from the past to the present. We are the heirs of two great civilizations that have developed by influencing each other. We are building our relations on these ties and working to create deep-rooted new ties. China is an extremely effective country in world politics and trade. We can take new steps to develop our relations at the level of strategic partnership. We discuss many topics from time to time, from increasing the bilateral trade volume with our Chinese friends to investment potentials. We are expecting a visit from China in the near future. After that, we will make a return visit. I don't think this will take a very long time. Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay us a visit, and then we will pay them a visit.

News Source: 12punto