President Erdoğan left his residence in Kısıklı and went to Kerem Aydınlar Mosque at noon. Erdogan, who performed the Friday prayer here, was congratulated by Vice President Fuat Oktay, Minister of Treasury and Finance Nureddin Nebati, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya, AK Party Istanbul Provincial Head Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, Istanbul Police Chief Zafer Aktaş and Üsküdar Mayor Hilmi. Turkmen accompanied him.
ANSWER JOURNALISTS’ QUESTIONS
Answering the questions of the members of the press at the exit of the mosque, Erdoğan then proceeded to the Vahdettin Mansion. Here are President Erdogan’s answers to the questions of members of the press…
“DEASH TERRORISM REGISTERED BY USA”
According to the news in AA, Erdogan was asked about the arrest of the terrorist Bashar Hattab Ghazal Al Sumaidai, codenamed “Abu Zeyd/Master Zeyd”, one of the most important so-called high-level executives of DAESH, and his assessment of Turkey’s fight against terrorism. He also stated that his position as a senior manager was also registered by the USA.
Stating that this person had fulfilled these duties from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of National Education, Erdoğan said:
“REFERRED TO JUDICIARY”
“Both our Intelligence and Interior Ministry were in the search, and they finally caught them. Today, he was referred to the judiciary. After this referral, the judiciary will do what is necessary. Of course, our National Intelligence has carried out the most determined and widest operations in the world regarding DAESH, our Ministry of Interior. We even had the Armed Forces.
“WE WAITING FOR THE DECISION OF THE JUDICIARY”
In other words, the West has not had a healthy operation or struggle against DAESH until today. They’re just talking about this stuff. There is nothing else they do. Of course, we are waiting for the decision of the judiciary today. I think that decision will actually be a message for the steps to be taken. This determination of ours continues inside and outside the borders. I hope the world will understand our determination in this fight against DAESH.”
US PROVISION OF ARMED EDUCATION TO SDF
Erdogan said, “US soldiers affiliated with the Joint Task Force established to fight DEASH conducted joint exercises and training with PKK/YPG terrorists in the city close to the Turkish border the previous day. Armed training is given. Photos from the exercise were shared on the task force’s official Twitter account. What would be your assessment on this matter?” On the question, he said:
“WRONG STEPS CONTINUE ON SDF”
“Unfortunately, the wrong steps taken by the US regarding the SDF continue to this day. Of course, if you pay attention to the name, they call it the ‘Syrian Democratic Forces’. So this is a camouflage. Unfortunately, America has always sent thousands of trucks, vehicles, equipment and ammunition to these terrorist organizations. “He still sends it. Of course, it’s not just their joint work with the coalition forces in Syria, they unfortunately did the same thing in Iraq. They still continue to do it. Besides these weapons, ammunition and equipment support, they also provide serious training support at the point of training. “
“I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT WITH BIDEN”
Stating that he expressed this on the plane on his return from his Balkans visit last night, President Erdoğan said, “In other words, if we have the opportunity to meet with the President at the United Nations General Assembly, I will discuss this issue with them again there.”
“I WILL PARTICIPATE IF THE PROGRAMS ALLOW”
Reminding the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Erdogan was asked whether he would make a visit to England, and replied, “If the programs allow, I intend to attend the ceremony.”
“I WANT TO BE AT MY CEREMONY”
Expressing that he shared a message of condolence on the death of Queen Elizabeth II on social media, Erdogan said, “But the whole point is to be able to coincide with this in our own programs. Because he is not someone I don’t know. I know him. We had two meetings at Buckingham Palace, too. I hope.” If we have the opportunity, we would like to attend this ceremony,” he said.
EXPLANATIONS ON F-16S
President Joe Biden’s statement, “We do not have an update on the F-16 program,” regarding Turkey’s request for F-16 modernization from the United States, in the briefing given by the White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Director John Kirby to reporters at the White House. Asked for his opinion about his continued support for the bill restricting the sale of F-16s, which was approved in July, Erdoğan said:
“ONLY THE USA DOESN’T SELL COMBATIVERS”
“You know, in the meeting we had with Mr. Biden in Madrid, he said he would give all the support he could. He took a positive approach to the F-16s and also hinted that ‘Republicans do not support.’ They personally had a meeting in Bulgaria. They expressed to them that they wanted the support of the Republicans on this issue. They said that they, as the Republicans, could give the necessary support to Turkey. I hope that the United States does not lead us to different paths in this relationship. I mean in different ways, warplanes in the world. It’s not just America that sells it. England sells it, France sells it, Russia sells it, it’s possible to get it from anywhere. There are people who give us signals for this.”