Typos

Erdogan: 'We Stopped the Bloodshed in Cyprus…'

Published February 20, 2026, 09:21
Erdogan: 'We Stopped the Bloodshed in Cyprus…'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Cyprus during a speech at an iftar program in Ankara, stating that “we stopped the bloodshed in Cyprus.” This reference was included in a broader narrative about Turkish history and the struggle to defend the homeland and independence. Erdogan argued that Turkey has faced many challenges throughout its history, such as Crusades and raids, but has managed to maintain its independence. He pointed out that the country is aware of the “games” being played in global politics and that Turkey is successfully managing the challenges. The Turkish president also referred to the “Turkey without terrorism” initiative, noting that significant progress has been made in the last 16 months. He praised Turkey’s progress in the defense industry, with the development of unmanned aircraft, missile systems and naval assets. In addition, Erdogan spoke of “positive developments” in Syria and reiterated Turkey’s commitment to supporting the families of the fallen and veterans.