Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again invoked the conquest of Jerusalem while reflecting on the Seljuk victory at the Battle of Manzikert.
Speaking during commemorations marking 955 years since the historic battle, Erdogan highlighted the importance of Ahlat, a town in eastern Turkey that he described as a starting point for the Seljuk expansion into Anatolia.
“The road to Manzikert was opened from Ahlat. The connection of Anatolia was forged in Ahlat. Jerusalem and Istanbul were conquered by the power of faith that took shape in Ahlat,” Erdogan said.
He also pointed to what he described as a broader strategic plan, saying that while others may have their own agendas, Turkey also has its own plans.
“And most importantly, Allah, Lord of the Worlds, also has a plan. And in the end, this plan will prevail,” he added.
Erdogan’s reference to Jerusalem has drawn renewed attention to Ankara’s rhetoric toward the city and Israel, amid increasingly strained relations between Turkey and the Israeli government.
His repeated use of historical and religious references connected to Jerusalem continues to raise questions about Turkey’s regional ambitions and its evolving position on the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
