President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering commitment to a terror-free Turkey, declaring that the PKK has been neutralized inside the country and will soon be eliminated abroad. Speaking to army recruits during a military ceremony in Isparta, Erdoğan praised the armed forces for their dedication in combating terrorism.
Referring to the terror-free Turkey initiative, Erdoğan described it as a strategic and moral mission. “We will preserve our will to realize the terror-free Turkey initiative with resolve and sensitivity,” he stated.
Origins of the Initiative and the PKK Threat
The terror-free Turkey campaign began in 2023 when Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), proposed a bold national security agenda. The initiative gained momentum when PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan, from prison, called on the group to lay down arms.
Since the 1980s, the PKK has carried out attacks across Turkey, killing thousands of civilians and security personnel. Despite ongoing counterterrorism operations, the group expanded its presence in Iraq and Syria. However, its main target has always been Turkey, creating a decades-long security burden.
Military Successes Against Cross-Border Terrorism
Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey’s military has neutralized the PKK’s domestic presence and reduced its ability to launch major attacks. “Our cross-border operations also brought us to a point where we are close to eradicating terrorism at its source,” he said.
Turkey has conducted major military operations in both Iraq and Syria. In Iraq, the Turkish military continues to target PKK hideouts in the Qandil Mountains using airstrikes and ground raids. In Syria, Turkey launched multiple operations to remove the PKK-affiliated YPG and Daesh from towns near its southern border.
Strengthening Unity and Regional Peace
President Erdoğan underscored that the People’s Alliance, formed between his government and the MHP, remains committed to building national unity while defeating terrorism. He noted that the PKK often exploited socio-economic issues among Kurds in southeastern Turkey to fuel its agenda. For over two decades, Turkey has worked to improve the rights and conditions of its Kurdish citizens, aiming to cut off the PKK’s recruitment channels.
“When we achieve our terror-free Turkey goal and end the terrorism that drained our country for 40 years, we will enter a new era—an important milestone in the Century of Turkey,” Erdoğan said, referring to the nation’s centennial vision.
A Vision of Peace for the Region
Reaffirming Turkey’s peaceful foreign policy, Erdoğan stated, “The Republic of Turkey always favors peace and stability. We sincerely desire the prevalence of peace in our neighbors and in our region.”
He concluded with a message of regional hope: “We don’t want new crises. We want a new climate of peace and security to prevail around us.”
