Erdoğan Pledges to Eliminate Terror Barrier

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared on January 25 that Türkiye is on the verge of achieving a “terror-free” future, a step he believes will foster unity among its 85 million citizens. Speaking at a provincial gathering in Van, Erdoğan emphasized that eliminating terrorism, which he described as a “scourge” plaguing the nation for 40 years, is critical to achieving Türkiye’s long-term goals.

“Once we completely save our country from the terror scourge that has been draining our strength for decades, God willing, we will move toward our aspirations with greater momentum,” Erdoğan said, addressing the crowd ahead of the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) major congress on February 28.

A Unified Vision for Türkiye

Erdoğan expressed confidence that breaking the “terror barrier” will strengthen national solidarity. “When the terror barrier that divides our 85 million people is dismantled, we will embrace each other more tightly and be more united,” he stated, reiterating his administration’s commitment to creating a terror-free Türkiye.

He underlined the importance of brotherhood across ethnic and sectarian lines, saying, “We are one, together, brothers on these lands. Whether Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Alevis, or Sunnis, we will live in harmony and embrace one another with affection.”

Military Operations and Regional Opportunities

The president highlighted the role of the Turkish military’s operations against the PKK and described the current regional climate, including developments in Syria, as advantageous for resolving the terrorism issue.

“Our wish is for this to be resolved calmly and peacefully. However, if alternative agendas emerge, we will persist in our fight against terrorism with even greater determination,” Erdoğan said, referencing both diplomatic and military approaches.

Talks with Abdullah Öcalan

Erdoğan’s remarks come as rare discussions take place between a delegation from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. This delegation, which includes lawmakers Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan, met with Öcalan on January 22—the second such meeting within a month. These discussions are the first since 2015, when representatives of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) engaged in peace talks with the PKK leader.

Framing the fight against terrorism as part of a broader vision for Türkiye’s future, Erdoğan noted: “We are not pursuing raw dreams but great goals shaped by centuries of heritage and vision.” As the nation prepares for the AKP’s congress next month, his administration appears focused on reinforcing its domestic and regional strategies for stability, unity, and growth.

Erdoğan’s renewed calls for peace and national solidarity underscore his administration’s priorities as it seeks to address long-standing challenges while fostering a more unified Türkiye.