In this week’s Türkiye in Focus:
- At the Malazgirt commemorations, President Erdoğan linked Türkiye’s domestic agenda to a broader vision for the region.
- Israel continues its efforts to destabilise Syria and push a strategy of escalation.
- Two major developments unfolded this week regarding the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process.
Malazgirt Victory Celebrations: A New Vision for Türkiye
The commemorations of the Battle of Malazgirt, marking the historic turning point when the Turks established Anatolia as their home, have expanded significantly over the past decade under the stewardship of the Archers Foundation. The institutional standing of this historical memory was further consolidated in 2020 with the inauguration of the Presidential Complex in Ahlat, located in the province of Bitlis. At this year’s celebrations, the Cabinet gathered at the Ahlat Complex for the third time, followed by a prominent assembly comprising President Erdoğan, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, cabinet ministers, leaders of the People’s Alliance, the Chief of the General Staff, and force commanders. This high-level presence shows how this historic site and milestone are being deliberately elevated to a core state value.
The symbolism embedded within these commemorations warrants attention from two main angles. Historically, it reflects an approach that firmly embraces Türkiye’s deep-rooted past. Societally, it seeks to unite Anatolia’s multi-cultural heritage around a shared national consciousness. After all, the victory at Malazgirt was forged through an alliance, most notably between Turks and Kurds, paving the way for a new era of peace across the region. President Erdoğan consistently highlights these themes in his addresses, drawing explicitly on historical references to underscore the enduring unity between Turks, Kurds, and Arabs.
Over the past two years, these gatherings have increasingly been shaped by the vision of a “Terror-Free Türkiye.” In his speech this year, President Erdoğan strongly reaffirmed his commitment to the progress made toward a terror-free nation while broadening the objective to encompass a “Terror-Free Region.” Viewed alongside the historical legacy of Malazgirt, this emphasis reinforces Türkiye’s broader ambition to assert itself as a stabilising regional leader.
Israeli Provocations Continue in Syria
Israel’s recent strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase, located roughly 70 kilometres from the border with Türkiye, represents a clear continuation of Israeli provocations in Syria. Whilst Israel claimed the attack aimed to prevent the establishment of a Turkish military base, Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence promptly refuted this, stating unequivocally that no Turkish military assets were present in the targeted area. American officials similarly described the action as an unnecessary escalation.
This pattern of behaviour stems primarily from Israel’s policy, which focused on preventing stability among its neighbours. Since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes across Syrian territory and deployed troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that had long separated Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights. These actions reveal a clear intent: Israel is determined to block any meaningful recovery or stabilisation in Syria.
Domestic political considerations appear to be shaping Israel’s aggressive posture. With elections approaching, Prime Minister Netanyahu has reportedly integrated security narratives into his campaign, framing Türkiye as a central threat. The strike on Abu al-Duhur may thus be understood as part of a broader strategy that leverages foreign tensions for domestic political consolidation.
Against this backdrop, Ankara has maintained a measured approach, combining support for Syria’s political and institutional recovery with efforts to contain tensions with Israel. Türkiye has sought to strengthen Damascus without allowing Israeli actions to draw it into a wider confrontation or alter its broader regional objectives.
“Terror-Free Türkiye” Enters New Phase with Presidential Commission
The initiative towards a “Terror-Free Türkiye” continues to gain momentum and take concrete shape, marked by two significant developments this week. A Monitoring and Evaluation Board, chaired by Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz and comprising key figures including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, National Defence, Justice, and the Head of the National Intelligence Organisation, was formally established and held its inaugural meeting. Whilst the parliamentary commission previously formed was tasked with engaging diverse social groups and defining the overarching legal structure, the executive phase now officially begins with the passage and approval of that legal framework. This newly established board will directly oversee, control, and coordinate the implementation of the process.
The regional track soon moved in parallel. Following Washington’s removal of Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, the SDF announced its dissolution, marking the most concrete step yet towards integration with Damascus. The timing reinforced a central feature of the process: developments in Syria and Türkiye’s domestic “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative have increasingly become two sides of the same strategic equation.
Ankara has consistently maintained that it would not tolerate any political sovereignty held by PKK-affiliated structures in northern Syria. Consequently, synchronising these two tracks has fostered a mutually reinforcing dynamic, leading to the constructive landscape seen today.
Ultimately, these developments demonstrate that the internal and regional dimensions of the issue were orchestrated to support one another. By aligning legislative action at home with strategic diplomatic shifts across the border, the administration has systematically addressed core security concerns on both fronts. As a result, Türkiye appears closer than ever to finally resolving one of the most painful and long-standing challenges in its recent history.
Highlights
- Türkiye seeks Interpol red notice for Netanyahu over Gaza aid flotilla case, said Justice Minister Akın Gürlek.
- Aimed at inspiring young minds towards technology and defence innovation, TEKNOFEST returned with a special focus on marine tech under the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) theme in Kocaeli. The festival showcased cutting-edge indigenous defence technologies alongside high-energy competitions for budding innovators, drawing an impressive crowd of 343,000 visitors, most of whom were youth.
- Prosecutors have opened a murder investigation involving the detained leader of the religious group known as the “Süleymancılar”. The inquiry follows an expert review of autopsy footage relating to the death of the group’s former leader, which raised fresh questions about the circumstances of his death. The case has since attracted considerable public scrutiny.
Recent Publications by TRT World Research Centre
The Mecca Accord and Iran’s Strategic Dilemma by Mehmet Kılıç
Alliance and Access in the Age of AI by Ravale Mohydin
The Makkah Pact: When Security Meets Connectivity by Burak Elmalı
The China Test for a Stronger NATO by Çağdaş Yüksel
A New Axis in the Eastern Mediterranean Policy Outlook by İhsan Faruk Kılavuz
The New Politics of a Terror-Free Türkiye by Ömer Sevim
Rare Earths and the Weaponisation of Interdependence by Dr. Tarek Cherkaoui
Beyond the American Umbrella: What the Mecca Accord reveals about a changing regional order Policy Outlook by Dr. Tarek Cherkaoui
The Mecca Pact: Taking Security into Regional Hands by Burak Elmalı
Rethinking Sovereignty in the Age of Frontier AI Policy Outlook by Ravale Mohydin
