Erdoğan marks 955th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert in Ahlat

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commemorated the 955th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert during events held in Ahlat, Bitlis province, on August 25-26, 2026. Joined by Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli, Erdoğan utilized the historical victory of 1071 over the Byzantine Empire to frame Ahlat as the symbolic birthplace of the Turkish and Islamic presence in Anatolia. He asserted that the city serves as the spiritual foundation for subsequent expansions, including the conquests of Jerusalem and Constantinople.

During his address, the President promoted the vision of a "Great and Powerful Turkey" and a new "Turkish Century." He directed sharp criticism toward Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling them as "blood merchants" and "perpetrators of genocide" who are responsible for instability in the region. Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey remains committed to its independent foreign policy, promising that plans to destabilize the Middle East will collapse while highlighting the nation's goal of fostering peace in Syria, Iraq, and the surrounding areas.

Erdoğan stressed that Turkey’s strategic, yet challenging, geography necessitates a strong and unified national stance. He warned that any attempts to hinder the country's development through "traps" or external pressure would fail, underscoring that the nation will not compromise on its interests or its commitment to regional prosperity.