:flag_tr: **Hürriyet Daily News - Live broadcast, early morning 1st of November 2020** :flag_tr:

*President Erdogan walks infront of the camera and takes a seat behind his desk, looking straight towards the camera.*

Good morning Turkey. Today I have been woken up by my staff to some rather disturbing news. It appears that our recent operation in Syria, Operation Peace Spring, has met direct involvement of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Our forces, once control was declared over the Sochi Line and minor fortifications were established, has been met by a fierce spearhead by the Russian Army near Abu al-Duhur. Our brave forces mostly managed to fend off the attacks.

Now, fellow Turks, let me just get one thing straight. The ''treaty'' on the Sochi Line was agreed upon internationally, including by @Russia. Back in around late 2018, the crime syndicate led by Bashar Al-Assad however broke this agreement to destroy our state from the inside once the migrant influx causes by their offensive started to do harm to our stability. And now, when we hold millions of refugees, we wish to push back to this line, we suddenly stare into the eyes of the Russians?

Since when are Russia's interests a higher priority than others'? Since when is it internationally plausible for a nation that strong to just push their agenda like it's nothing? Our nation is protecting our friends in Syria, the Syrian National Army, in their efforts to battle the Tyrant in Damascus. We wished for negotiations, but it appears that's far from reachable at this time.

The world knows our operation was justified. We were willing to come to an agreement. Instead of approaching me in a peaceful manner, @Russia actively and for the first time this century, has directly attacked Turkish forces both in the front we executed our operation in, and the recently acquired positions in PKK/YPG-held territory. Our forces were pushed out of this region and have fortified themselves on the border, ready for a counteroffensive. We shall not respond weak. For their unprovoked attacks on Tall Abyad and Ral As-Ayn, our Air Force is launching drone attacks on the Khemeimim Air Base in Latakia as we speak.

After this development, I have urgently met with a Saudi representative and discussed our best course of actions while the Iranians and Egyptians are still asleep. I suspect the alliance to take an official stance soon. But no doubt, Turkish citizens, they will see the sense in our actions and come to aid if the Russians push through their aggression.

My military staff and I have agreed on installing a mandatory, yet limited conscription, as we have to increase the national security and our combat abilities at this moment. We will send all of our available forces to the Syrian border and the province of Idlib, and will deploy the Turkish Naval and Aerial forces in the north to prevent any Russian incursions from reaching our mainland. Our holdings in Idlib will be extra reinforced to hold the Sochi Line.

If the Russians wish to destroy our homeland by either invading us through the Black Sea or through Syria, or by destroying us from the inside by the millions of migrants more resulting from their attacks, they may very well fight for it!

...

People of Turkey. These are uncertain times. Go visit your friends, relatives, loved ones, as we might face something we have tried to avoid for years, yet are not feared to meet. We appeal to the world to see sense in our actions. Our operation in Idlib was not an act of aggression, but of defense. We do not seek to destroy, but defend. And we will continue to defend, our nation, citizens, and allies.

Have a good day, Turkey. May Allah bless your souls.

*Erdogan nods to the camera, standing up to leave the frame while the camera fades slowly, ending the speech.*