Duran, in his speech at the “Revival Vision Panel of Strong Türkiye, Building the Century” held at the Directorate of Communications, stated that they came together today to take stock of the 3 years that have passed since that great test they experienced, to keep memories alive against disasters and to share their common perspective on the future of Türkiye.

Stating that he believes that this meeting is an expression of being able to walk forward, towards the future without forgetting what he has experienced, and growing hope without leaving the pain behind, Duran reminded that he faced one of the heaviest tests in the country’s history with two major earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on the morning of February 6, exactly 3 years ago.

Duran stated that this great test deeply shook every segment of society, but it brought solidarity with pain, and wisdom with patience.

Stating that the earthquakes, which they described as the disaster of the century, left deep traces in 11 provinces and directly affected the lives of 14 million citizens, Duran said, “We lost over 53 thousand lives due to the earthquakes. More than 107 thousand of our brothers were injured. On this occasion, I once again wish God’s mercy to our citizens who passed away. May they rest in peace and be in high ranks. I also wish patience and fortitude to our brothers who personally experienced that destruction and had to bury their relatives.” he said.

“FROM THE FIRST MOMENT, OUR STATE HAS BEEN ON THE FIELD WITH ALL ITS FACILITIES AND UNITS”

Director of Communications Duran stated that major disasters do not only produce destruction, but also make the character and spirit of solidarity of a nation clearly visible.

“The period after February 6 is a story of resurrection for Türkiye, where the solidarity of the state and the nation is manifested in the strongest way.” Using the expression, Duran continued his words as follows:

“As a matter of fact, from the first moment, our state came to the field with all its resources and units. Our non-governmental organizations took on tasks with a spirit of dedication without any hesitation. Our citizens rushed to help not only with what they had, but also with their hearts, prayers and hopes. We made a great effort together to reach one more life, to bring hope to life at the beginning of the rubble, to make another disaster victim feel that he was not alone. Therefore, I must say this. We will overcome this disaster with both our technical capacity, our conscience and our conscience.” “We came with our strength of solidarity. This strong will and spirit of unity has been provided with an institutional framework by a permanent and comprehensive reconstruction and revival process that is not satisfied with the temporary solutions initiated under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.”

“HUMAN-CENTERED APPROACH”

Duran stated that Türkiye, in this process, did what was said to be impossible with the cooperation of the nation and the state and offered a new standard to the world with its human-centered approach.

Pointing out that the process is not just an effort to replace the destroyed ones, Duran said:

“This process, as our President underlines at every opportunity, is the realization of the understanding of not leaving any citizen unattended and the responsibility of being the orphan of the homeless. The delivery of 455 thousand houses to our citizens is one of the most important manifestations of this. All of our cities, which were seriously damaged in the earthquake, with the construction and renovation works, have today reached brand new standards and faces. All of these are not limited to a physical structuring. It also expresses the re-establishment of social justice, economic resistance and social recovery. Environment, Urbanization and “Our Minister of Climate Change, Mr. Murat Kurum, will explain the issue to you in detail, as someone who knows the work done in the region closely and undertakes very important duties in this regard.”

DISASTER COMMUNICATION

Duran said that the disaster and the aftermath showed once again how important a strong communication environment that centers on the truth is.

Stating that they have made intense efforts to establish a healthy communication environment and that they continue to do so, Duran stated that, while on the one hand they came to the aid of earthquake-affected citizens in this difficult period, on the other hand they had to fight against an intense disinformation campaign that targets the truth, aims to disrupt search and rescue efforts and harm social peace.

Emphasizing that they are experiencing a difficult period in which the opportunities offered by sophisticated communication tools and the weaknesses they bring are exploited, Duran made the following evaluations:

“We have all experienced together how quickly lies, fictionalized content and distorted information can spread and have an impact, especially in times of crisis. During this period, we witnessed that disinformation spread, sometimes with deliberate guidance and sometimes with false transfers resulting from lack of information. It was extremely important to fight against this misleading information, which harms the peace of the society, harms the public order in the disaster area and disrupts search and rescue activities. In this context, as the Directorate of Communications, nearly 200 people We intervened in the disinformative content and shared the truth with our nation. We did our best to inform the public accurately in coordination with the relevant institutions of our state. In addition, we immediately implemented the CİMER Crisis Communication Strategy in order to maintain uninterrupted communication with our nation. In this context, as of 08.30 on the morning of February 6, we launched the CİMER Earthquake Emergency Application as a special communication channel for our earthquake victims. “We tried to follow up and find a solution. We answered more than 220 thousand calls on a 24/7 basis in the 3-month period after the earthquake through the CİMER Call Center. On the other hand, we established press centers to facilitate the work of journalists in the region and met their needs.”

“THIS IS THE RESURRECTION STORY OF OUR PEOPLE, IT IS A SUCCESS STORY”

Presidential Communications Director Duran stated that they are a host to international reporters and that they provide information with the Turkish and English bulletins they publish every day.

Reminding that 32 international journalists from 11 countries, who worked in the region after the February 6 earthquakes, came to the region again last week and met with the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Duran said that these press members, who also witnessed the destruction of the earthquake, had the opportunity to observe and witness the great revival that took place after 3 years.

Stating that with the program in question, they have enabled 366 journalists from 26 countries to see the revival and construction works carried out by Türkiye since 2024, Duran said, “This is the resurrection story of our people, a success story, and it is appropriate that the whole world applauds it.” he said.

BOOK “3RD YEAR OF THE DISASTER OF THE CENTURY, CONSTRUCTION AND REVIVAL WORKS”

Director of Communications Duran stated that they made the public aware of the intensive work in the earthquake region with the publications they made, panels and symposiums they organized in the post-disaster period.

Explaining that they have presented the book “Today, their new work, 3rd Year of the Disaster of the Century, Construction and Revival Works” to the public, Duran said:

“Our work, the introductory text of which was written by our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, includes the studies carried out from the first moment on the disaster of the century. In the content of the book, major disasters in the world and the global effects of the February 6 earthquakes were evaluated. Detailed data on the disaster was also shared in the form of infographics. In addition to all these, the studies carried out after the disaster were evaluated from a holistic perspective under many headings such as health, education, economy, social services and communication. In this respect, our book, solidarity It has become a reference work that records the construction and revival experience we carried out with our spirit and tells it to future generations. On the other hand, I would like to mention one of the titles of our panels, ‘Disaster Journalism, Preventing News Without Turning It into a Disaster’ Project. Within the scope of this project, carried out under the coordination of Selçuk University and of which our institution is a partner, the internationally valid disaster journalism course curriculum for communication faculties and training guides for media professionals were developed, God forbid, when disasters come again. “They should have known what to do in advance. I believe that these studies will make significant contributions to increasing awareness about disaster communication in our country and in the world and strengthening ethics on this issue.”

Duran emphasized that establishing a healthy communication environment is more important in times of disaster, and that this issue is the common responsibility of the Directorate of Communications and relevant institutions of the state, the media community, the academic world, non-governmental organizations and all segments of society.

Stating that AFAD is very valuable in times of disaster, that it does important work, but that they must assume responsibility as all citizens, Duran expressed his gratitude to all institutions that contributed to the great revival process, public personnel who worked devotedly in the field, academics, media members and citizens.

At the most important meeting of the week, details of the report prepared in line with the “Terror-free Türkiye” goal and the latest developments in Syria will be discussed. At the meeting, where strategic scenarios regarding the tension in the US-Iran line will be analyzed, important moves are planned regarding domestic politics as well as foreign policy. It is expected that President Erdoğan will give a comprehensive field instruction to the organizations before the upcoming month of Ramadan and direct all levels of the party to meet with the citizens.

TERRORIST-FREE Türkiye VISION AND CRITICAL REPORT

One of the most critical topics of the meeting is the work carried out by the National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission. In the report prepared in line with the “Terror-free Türkiye” target, the final stage and concrete steps to be taken will be shared with the board members. In addition to the social and political reflections of the process, the road map of the report, which is expected to be shared with the public in the coming days, will be shaped at the MYK table.

President Erdoğan convenes the AK Party MYK | Video

BALANCES IN SYRIA AND SDG INTEGRATION

Under the regional security heading, the activities in the Syrian arena are closely followed. The implementation of the integration process between the Syrian administration and the SDF in Hasakah as of January 30 is another issue on Ankara’s radar. The practical implications of this development on the field and its possible effects on Türkiye’s border security will be thoroughly evaluated by President Erdoğan and his staff. In addition, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and permanent solutions continue to remain on the table as an integral part of the foreign policy agenda.

GLOBAL TENSION: USA AND IRAN LINE

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran based in Oman and increasing tension are among the strategic analysis topics of MYK. Türkiye’s preparations against possible scenarios and the details of its balance policy will be discussed. At the meeting, where data on the current situation of the economy and local governments will be shared, Türkiye’s general road map for the coming period will be drawn.

In her post on her NSosyal account, First Lady Erdoğan stated that each addiction is an invisible prison with millions of prisoners.

Noting that today, 1.3 billion people over the age of 15 in the world are addicted to tobacco, Erdoğan said, “Globally, 7 million people die annually due to smoking. This situation is not only an individual health issue, but also a deep reality that lies at the basis of many social problems. In the Year of Independence, 2026, I hope that the fight against this addiction, which silently consumes people, families, society and nature, will be strengthened decisively.” he said.

The video of First Lady Erdoğan’s speech at the Independence Pioneers Summit organized by the Turkish Green Crescent Society was also included in the post.

Each addiction is an invisible prison with millions of prisoners. Today, 1.3 billion people over the age of 15 in the world are addicted to tobacco. Globally, 7 million people die annually due to smoking. This chart is for an individual only… pic.twitter.com/5N8ASryWHR

— Emine Erdoğan (@EmineErdogan) February 9, 2026

The detained defendant Ahmet Yılmaz, some unarrested defendants and party lawyers attended the hearing at Ankara 28th High Criminal Court. After reading the documents in the file, the Presiding Judge gave a speech to the detained defendant Ahmet Yılmaz.

Arrested defendant Yılmaz argued that there were no criminal elements against him in terms of bribery and said, “I made sincere statements from the beginning of the investigation. I did not attempt to escape. There are no forged documents created by me. There is no concrete evidence that I helped the organization.” he said.

Claiming that it is not lawful for him to be detained in detention for a crime for which there is no evidence, Yılmaz requested his release, saying that it is not possible for the crime of hacking into the information system to occur against him, that the prosecutor said he shared his password, and that the period of detention has turned into a punishment.

The detained defendants who spoke also claimed that they were innocent and demanded that the judicial control conditions against them be lifted.

The public prosecutor, who was asked for his opinion after the statements, asked for the decision to continue the current situation of the detained defendant Ahmet Yılmaz and the other defendants without arrest.

Announcing its interim decision, the court ordered the detention of the defendant Ahmet Yılmaz and the continuation of the current situation of the other defendants, and decided to send the file to the public prosecutor to explain its opinion on the merits.

The hearing was postponed to April 14.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

In the indictment prepared by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it is stated that the court clerk Ahmet Yılmaz, upon the request of FETO fugitive lawyer Muhammet Talha Bol, carried out irregular transactions in exchange for money in some files, including FETO suspects.

At the same time, it is stated that Yılmaz changed the file numbers, deleted documents, changed the names of the parties, emptied the files, and that he and the prosecutors whose passwords he knew because he worked together did these transactions through the UYAP sessions.

The indictment demands that Yılmaz be sentenced to a total of 1190 years and 5 months in prison for these actions.

In addition, the indictment demands that the other 15 defendants be punished for the crimes of “bribery”, “being a member of an armed terrorist organization”, “violation of confidentiality”, “forgery of official documents” and “favoring the criminal”.

Foreign Ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE issued a joint statement regarding Israel’s moves in the West Bank.

“They condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s illegal decisions and measures aimed at imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty in the occupied West Bank, rooting settlement activities and creating a new legal and administrative reality, thus accelerating the steps of deportation and illegal annexation of the Palestinian people.” In the statement, it was reported that the ministers reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories.

In the statement, it was stated that the ministers warned that the “continued expansionist policies and illegal measures” by the Israeli government in the occupied West Bank fueled violence and conflict in the region, and that these illegal actions, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law, undermine the two-state solution, and constitute an attack on the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign state with “occupied Jerusalem as its capital” on the basis of the borders of June 4, 1967, were firmly rejected.

In the statement, the following was noted:

“These actions also undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region. The Ministers declare that these illegal practices in the occupied West Bank are null and void and comply with all UN Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 2334, which condemns all Israeli practices aimed at changing the demographic structure, character and status of the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, since 1967, as well as Israel’s policies and practices and its continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, which finds them to be illegal and confirms the need to end the Israeli occupation.” They emphasized that this constitutes a clear violation of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in 2024.

It was stated in the statement that the ministers reiterated their calls to the international community to force Israel to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities and to stop the dangerous escalation in the West Bank and the provocative statements of its officials. They also emphasized that the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and state establishment, based on international legitimacy decisions and in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, on the basis of a two-state solution, remain the only way to achieve a fair and comprehensive peace that will ensure security and stability in the region.

WEST BANK ISSUE

According to the Oslo II Agreement dated 1995, the West Bank; It is divided into three: Area A, which is completely under Palestinian administration, Area B, which is under Palestinian civil administration and Israeli security control, and Area C, which is completely under Israeli control. Area C covers approximately 61 percent of the West Bank.

It was stated that yesterday, the Israeli security cabinet approved a series of decisions that increased Israel’s “supervision and control activities” in the areas under the control of the Palestinian administration in the occupied West Bank.

In the news in the Israeli press, it was stated that some decisions affected the current regulations in Hebron, and that it was decided that the planning and construction powers of the Haram-i Ibrahimi Mosque and its surroundings would be taken from the municipality, contrary to the 1997 Hebron Agreement, and transferred to institutions affiliated with the Israeli Civil Administration.

While the United Nations and the international community recognize the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as occupied Palestinian territory, Israel’s Jewish settlement activities are considered illegal under international law.

According to experts, unilateral steps that change the status quo weaken the possibility of a two-state solution.

It is stated that Israel intensified its military operations in the West Bank after the war against Gaza started on October 8, 2023, and in this process, killings, detentions, forced displacement and settlement expansion steps increased. It is stated that during this period, at least 1112 Palestinians lost their lives, approximately 11,500 people were injured and more than 21 thousand people were detained.

Israel, which continues its attacks in the Gaza Strip by violating the ceasefire, is intensifying its steps that change the status quo in the occupied West Bank and pave the way for the annexation of the region.

3 MILLION PALESTINIANS LIVE UNDER MILITARY RULE IN THE WEST BANK UNDER ISRAELI OCCUPATION

Approximately 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.

On the other hand, more than 500 thousand Israeli settlers live under Israeli law in 365 Jewish settlements built on Palestinian land in violation of international law.

Palestinians, whose lands and agricultural lands have been seized by the Israeli administration and Jewish settlers, are trying to survive under conditions where the attacks of the Israeli army and the settlers protected by the army are increasing.

The Tel Aviv administration is criticized for not giving adequate punishment to the attackers belonging to Jewish gangs, following the investigations and few arrests made against Israelis who usurped Palestinian lands.

Far-right parties in Israel, especially those supported by settlers, have long advocated the annexation of the West Bank in violation of international law.

In order to reach more foreign students with the Turkey Scholarships given by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), the YTB Cultural Ambassadors Meeting program was held at Ibn Haldun University Başakşehir Campus between 8-11 February. Within the scope of the program attended by 40 international students and 10 graduates from universities in Türkiye, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ibn Haldun University Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan and Rector of Ibn Haldun University Prof. Dr. Atilla Arkan and YTB President Abdulhadi Turus met with international students in the panel titled “Türkiye’s international education vision”.

Speaking at the panel, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ibn Haldun University, said, “While these turbulent processes are going on in the world, we see that Western civilization, which we see as the dominant power of the system with issues such as wars, genocides, conflicts, injustices, rising right-wing fascism and radicalism, is no longer interested in these problems. Let alone producing these problems, it does not even take up the agenda of these problems.”

“PROVIDE SUPPORT TO YOUR COUNTRIES’ RELATIONS WITH OUR COUNTRY”

Referring to the importance of international students studying in Türkiye with Turkey Scholarships, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan said, “Turkey does not give scholarships because it is a source of commercial income. Therefore, it is very critical for us that our guest students, our international students, are individuals who know and promote Türkiye correctly in the countries they go to. This is a gain for our country. While I was working at the World Bank, I also had the opportunity to get to know the aid organizations of Western countries. These development agencies, which are aid organizations within the state, influence the politics of the aided country and shape its destiny in their own way. I have seen that they focus on the concept of education. Türkiye does not have such a problem. We provide aid in many countries without any expectations. We can think that the educational opportunities we offer to the students of those countries are actually to support the future of those countries. Unfortunately, the understanding of helping these countries is not to develop them with their own means, but to maintain their loyalty to them. We want a neighbor, a partner, that can stand on its own. On the contrary, we want our international students in Türkiye to go to their own countries. “These students will naturally support Türkiye’s relations with those countries. A Turkish company doing business in that country will naturally want to work with these friends. I believe that, as Türkiye’s volunteer ambassador, you will also support the strengthening of relations between Turkey and your own countries. We talked about Türkiye’s relationship with the countries they visit and the contribution they make to the proper recognition of Türkiye in the countries they visit,” he said. spoke.

“INVESTING IN WORLD PEACE IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR OWN PEACE”

Pointing out that Türkiye’s investment in world peace is actually investing in its own peace, Erdoğan said, “Who can say that Turkey should not invest in the stability of its neighbors? This is primarily beneficial to Türkiye. When Turkey establishes a certain stability in the region, it is of course beneficial to world peace. Because what is happening in Palestine today destabilizes the whole world. It hurts the hearts of all two billion Muslims. It causes two billion Muslims to accumulate hatred against the Western system and order, right? Therefore, you are actually talking about the Palestine issue.” “When you solve this problem, when you gain the freedom of Jerusalem, it is a great investment in world peace. I think that Türkiye being a beloved country in the world and the increase of its fans in the world is also a great gain for Turkey. I think that as much as Turkey invests in the peace and prosperity of the rest of the world, it actually invests in its own peace,” he said.