Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remarked on Wednesday that it is in Turkey’s fate to broaden its borders, particularly into Syria. During a speech at the Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK) and Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) Awards Ceremony at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center, he emphasized: “Every incident that has occurred in our region, especially in Syria, recently reminds us of this fact; Turkey is bigger than Turkey. As a nation, we cannot limit our horizon to 782,000 square kilometers.”

He further asserted, “Just as a person cannot escape his destiny, Turkey and the Turkish nation cannot escape or hide from their destiny. As a nation, we have to see the mission that history has assigned to us and act accordingly. We see this, we do not turn a deaf ear to the calls.”

Continuing, Erdoğan said: “Those who ask, ‘What is Turkey doing in Libya and Syria?’ may not be able to comprehend this mission. Those who do not know how Turkey has changed may have difficulty understanding the course of events. We leave them alone with nonsense. No matter what we tell those who have abandoned their empathy with their nation, it is useless. We will not waste time with them, we will focus on our goals.”

Addressing the scientists at the event, Erdoğan concluded: “I believe that you will also fulfill your responsibilities on this blessed journey.”

Erdoğan’s remarks come as he continues to deploy troops along Turkey’s Syrian border, near areas predominantly populated by Kurds.

Senior U.S. officials revealed to the Wall Street Journal on Monday that the Turkish forces include militia fighters, Turkish commandos in uniform, and a significant artillery presence. The officials noted that the current troop buildup suggests an imminent invasion, resembling Turkey’s military preparations before its 2019 incursion into northeastern Syria.

Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli criticized Erdoğan’s military actions in the Kurdish-majority regions of Syria on Wednesday. He wrote on X: “Kurdistan must be granted independence, while Erdoğan should be expelled from NATO and left to crown himself as the caliph of an Islamic state, ruling alongside his friends in ISIS and Al-Qaeda.”