* Officials say false claims aim to distort Ankara’s diplomatic position, undermine its regional peace efforts
The Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye has described as “completely unfounded” statements circulating on social media platforms and attributed to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which claim that “If there is an attack on Iran or Lebanon, we will consider it as an attack on Turkiye.”
In a statement released on Sunday by the Directorate of Communications and reported by Anadolu Agency, officials said Turkiye under the leadership of President Erdoğan continues to act as a voice of reason amid regional tensions.
The statement said Turkiye has consistently demonstrated a constructive approach that promotes peace, prosperity and security, adding that such efforts are recognised internationally.
It further said the purpose of the circulating claims is to overshadow Turkiye’s role in regional peace efforts, draw the country into conflict narratives and create false perceptions in the international public through disinformation and political manipulation.
The presidency warned against what it described as coordinated “black propaganda activities and psychological warfare tactics,” urging the public to rely only on official statements issued through state channels.
It added that efforts to counter perception operations based on false claims will continue with determination.
Claims about “Karabakh and Libya” remarks
Muslim News gathered that another claim circulating online and amplified by some media outlets, including The Jerusalem Post, alleged that President Erdoğan repeated the statement “Just as we entered Karabakh, just as we entered Libya,” in reference to entering or attacking Israel during the International Conference of Asian Political Parties held on Friday, 10 April, in Istanbul.
However, there is no verified evidence from mainstream Turkish media, including Anadolu Agency, TRT, Daily Sabah, and Hürriyet, confirming that Erdoğan made the specific statement at the event.
Reports indicate that while Erdoğan delivered strong criticism of Israel over its military operations in Gaza and regional tensions, the alleged military comparison was not part of the verified speech record.
Origin of the statement
The phrase widely circulating online is linked to remarks made by President Erdoğan in July 2024 during comments on Israel’s war in Gaza. At the time, Turkish and international media including Anadolu Agency reported Erdoğan as saying:
“If (we) get stronger, Israel cannot do what it is doing in Palestine now. Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we might do similar to them. There is no reason why we cannot do this. We must be strong so that we can take these steps.”
The remarks were widely interpreted in international media as a reference to Türkiye’s past military and security operations in Libya and Azerbaijan.
It is not immediately clear why the claims are being widely circulated at this time, but some analysts say the resurfacing and amplification of such statements may be part of broader information campaigns linked to ongoing regional tensions following the Gaza war and wider Middle East instability.
They argue that repeated misrepresentation of past remarks could be aimed at reshaping public perception and increasing geopolitical pressure on Turkiye by portraying it as a potential next flashpoint in the region involving Israel and the United States.
Erdoğan restates Türkiye’s diplomatic push for peace
President Erdogan has repeatedly condemned military actions by Israel and the United States across the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, describing them as violations of international law and threats to regional stability.
In statements reported by Anadolu Agency and other media, President Erdoğan said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in countries such as Iran and Lebanon were unacceptable, stressing that such actions worsen humanitarian conditions and undermine international norms.
He stated that “attacks targeting schools, hospitals and civilians are unacceptable and constitute clear violations of international law.”
President Erdoğan has also positioned Türkiye as a diplomatic actor seeking to prevent further escalation in the region. During discussions on rising tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States, he said Türkiye was working to prevent a wider conflict, noting: “We are working hard to prevent the escalation of conflict between the United States, Iran and the wider region.”
Hitler of our time
President Erdoğan has remained one of the most vocal global critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In his earlier remarks on Friday at the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) Women’s Wing, President Erdogan delivered a scathing rebuke of Israel’s Knesset, comparing its decision to apply the death penalty solely to Palestinian prisoners to Nazi Germany’s persecution of Jews.
He has repeatedly accused Israel of committing “state terrorism” and “massacres” during previous escalations in Gaza, while calling for stronger international action to protect Palestinian civilians.
Erdoğan declared: “What is being done is discrimination, it is racism, it means implementing in Israel a worse version of the apartheid regime that was overthrown in South Africa in 1994.
Criticizing Israel’s aggressive attitude in the region, Turkiye President said, “In the eyes of the massacre network, what difference is it whether our name is Ali, Murteza, Omar, Ayşe, Zeynep, Hasan and Hüseyin?” Erdoğan added, “Those who are brutally killed wherever they are are our brothers. Children who take their last breath at school are our children. Women whose hearts turn to Karbala with the pain of their children are our mothers. The cities turned into rubble by bombs are our cities.”
Reacting to Turkish criticism, Netanyahu accused Erdoğan of hypocrisy and alleged human rights abuses in Türkiye, including claims related to the treatment of Kurdish citizens. His remarks were shared on social media platform X and widely circulated in international media.
In a swift response, Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday strongly rejected Netanyahu’s statements, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
The ministry said Netanyahu, who has been widely criticised internationally over the Gaza war, including references in global discourse to the “Hitler of our time,” is facing serious legal scrutiny over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, with proceedings reported at international judicial institutions.
It added that Netanyahu’s rhetoric reflects an attempt to divert attention from ongoing legal and political pressure, including allegations raised in international forums regarding Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry further stated that targeting President Erdoğan with what it described as unfounded accusations is a result of discomfort over Türkiye’s consistent public position on the Gaza conflict and its defence of Palestinian civilians.
Ankara reaffirmed that Türkiye will continue to support efforts aimed at protecting civilians and will maintain its calls for accountability regarding actions in Gaza, while stressing that it will not be deterred by political attacks or rhetoric directed at its leadership.
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