President Erdoğan: The houses they said would never end are here.

06.02.2026 17:03

On the anniversary of February 6, President Erdoğan, speaking at a ceremony held in Osmaniye, stated, "There is no slander they haven't thrown, no lie they haven't told, no disinformation they haven't spread regarding earthquake tourists. They said in unison, 'the state has abandoned its citizens.' They said, 'aid efforts are being carried out according to political affiliations.' They said, 'they cannot finish these houses.' Here are the houses. The houses they said would never be completed are here."

President Erdoğan made striking statements at the 'February 6 Earthquake Commemoration Program and the Collective Opening Ceremony of Completed Investments' in Osmaniye.

Starting his speech by saying, "We are together with you on the third anniversary of the February 6 earthquakes that have ignited a burning fire in our hearts as a nation," Erdoğan harshly criticized the opposition. Stating that the opposition was trying to exploit the earthquake for political gain, Erdoğan said, "While we are trying to save the lives of our citizens and offer them a brand new future, unfortunately, some circles led by the main opposition were calculating how to gain political profit from this earthquake. There was no slander, lie, or disinformation that the earthquake tourists did not throw. They chorused, 'the state has left its citizens alone.' They said, 'aid efforts are being carried out according to the color of votes.' They said, 'they cannot finish these houses.' Here are the houses. The houses they said would not be finished are here."

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements;

"Dear people of Osmaniye, esteemed General President of the Nationalist Movement Party Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, valuable leaders of our political parties, dear young brothers and sisters, respected ladies; I greet you with my heartfelt feelings, respect, and affection. I send my regards to my brothers and sisters all over Osmaniye. I convey my warmest regards to all our friends in our cultural geography across all 81 provinces. I am very happy to be together with you."

We are together with you on the third anniversary of the February 6 earthquakes. I pray for mercy for our citizens who passed away in this disaster of the century. I invite you to read a Fatiha for our martyrs. May God grant paradise to the places of our earthquake martyrs. May He gather us all with our martyrs. I wish once again patience to all our earthquake victims today.

"WE ROSE AGAIN FROM OUR ASHES AS 86 MILLION"

On February 6, 2023, we were shaken by the most devastating disaster in our republic's history. 14 million of our citizens living in an area of 120 thousand square kilometers in 11 provinces were directly affected by this disaster. We laid to rest 53,697 of our citizens. 107,213 of our brothers and sisters survived the earthquake with injuries. We had to evacuate 3.5 million of our citizens from the region. Approximately 39,555 of the 2 million 302 thousand buildings in the earthquake zone were destroyed during the disaster. Over 199 thousand buildings were heavily damaged, while 36 thousand buildings were moderately damaged.

The direct financial cost of these earthquakes, which are among the greatest disasters in our history, reached 104 billion dollars, while the indirect cost reached 150 billion dollars. From the very first moment of the earthquake, we acted within minutes. Our ministries, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and non-governmental organizations mobilized with a spirit of dedication. We bandaged the wounds opened by the earthquake together. We rose again from our ashes as 86 million. We showed the strength of our Turkey to the whole world once again.

"THE HOUSES THE OPPOSITION SAID WOULD NOT BE FINISHED ARE HERE"

While we are trying to save the lives of our citizens and offer them a brand new future, unfortunately, some circles led by the main opposition were calculating how to gain political profit from this earthquake. There was no slander, lie, or disinformation that the earthquake tourists did not throw. They chorused, 'the state has left its citizens alone.' They said, 'aid efforts are being carried out according to the color of votes.' They said, 'they cannot finish these houses.' Here are the houses. The houses they said would not be finished are here. They did not hold onto any work, unfortunately, they acted partisanship here as well. So what happened in the end? All their hopes were dashed. Those who expected our government and alliance to be buried under the rubble were greatly disappointed.

As a government, we have fulfilled the promises we made to you. In just 3 years, we have rebuilt and revitalized our cities. We have completed 445,357 independent units.

"HE TARGETS US WITH AN UGLY TONE"

I must express once again; anniversaries are not days for some to catch up with others. These days are periods to share our pain, to remember our losses with longing, and to strengthen our unity as a nation. Unfortunately, the person at the head of the main opposition is targeting us with an ugly tone that is not compatible with morality. He is concerned with throwing empty shots and hitting the target. However, a politician speaks with their works. If you have a work, an action, a project, you present it to the nation. But if you have no work, you just engage in polemics like the CHP Chairman, trying to survive by attacking others.

"THE SUN OF TRUTH CANNOT BE COVERED WITH MUD"

If he accepted his mistake, perhaps he would be a little embarrassed, if he corrected himself a bit, we would understand him to some extent. However, there is no virtue in that either. Since you are not holding onto any work, at least do not obstruct those who serve. Since you have no benefit to Turkey, at least do not hinder those who are beneficial. For 3 years, you constantly criticized, constantly threw mud, at least today thank the state that delivered 455 thousand residences. Even if it is with a dry sentence, appreciate it. He has eyes but does not see, ears but does not hear, a tongue but does not speak the truth. I would like to remind these incompetent people; turning it upside down does not make a minaret from a well, the sun of truth cannot be covered with mud.

Here are the works, here are the residences. We speak with our works. The closest witnesses to how we have struggled to revive our 11 provinces since February 6, 2023, are my brothers and sisters in this square.

"WE REBUILT SERVICE BUILDINGS IN 11 PROVINCES"

We have also revitalized the service buildings in our 11 provinces affected by the earthquake. We have always stood by our tradesmen, producers, and farmers.

We have stood by our city in every difficulty, from the reconstruction of our schools damaged in the earthquake to health and transportation. Today, we are officially inaugurating 12,557 completed independent units. We are officially opening our national garden and other investments. I pray for the mercy of all our brothers and sisters we bid farewell to in the disaster of the century. We express our gratitude to all our guests. I greet you with love and respect. "