Erdogan vows to continue anti-terror fight in 2017

Turkish President Erdogan President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday in his new year message that Turkey will continue to fight terrorist organizations in 2017.

Speaking of the eventful Turkey in 2016, Erdogan mourned the victims killed in attacks by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Islamic State (IS) militants as well as in the failed coup attempt on July 15.

Turkey is in "a new independence war," Erdogan said, vowing that Turkey will take measures to ensure domestic security and democracy.

The coup attempt was "undoubtedly" the vilest terror act and an invasion attempt within Turkey's republican era, he said.

The Turkish president stressed that Turkey will continue to clear all Gulenists through lawful means in 2017.

He also pledged that all these terrorist activities would not divert Turkey from its path to the 2023 goals, when the country would celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding.

Turkey is entering the new year with "new hopes and expectations," Erdogan said.

In 2017, Turkey will not only destroy terrorist organizations but also achieve greater economic success, he said.

source: Xinhua