Jihadist Institutions Claim Erdogan is the Conqueror of Syria

The fall of the al-Assad regime in Syria, after 54 years in power, has invigorated supporters of Turkey’s ruling party. Following years of harsh criticism over the government’s policies in Syria and the influx of millions of refugees, these supporters are now rallying behind President Erdogan, portraying him as the architect of the al-Assad regime’s downfall.

• Crisis De-escalation… Erdogan: Turkey doesn’t see Greece as an enemy or adversary 

• Report: Erdogan plans to stay in power for life… How?

According to the Nordic Monitor, Islamist family-linked institutions associated with Erdogan have begun promoting this narrative, targeting youth with propaganda reminiscent of jihadist rhetoric. This campaign aims to reframe Erdogan’s controversial policies in Syria as a strategic success and a defining moment in his leadership.

The Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA), a government-funded organization, has been at the forefront of this propaganda campaign. In a recent post on the social platform X, the foundation celebrated the collapse of the Syrian regime, sharing an image of Syrian refugees in Turkey holding posters of Erdogan during a demonstration. The post read: “When history remembers you, everyone will recognize your greatness, O great leader, conqueror of Syria, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.”

• Deputy Erdogan implicates the president with a provocative statement… What did he say? 

• Bashar Al-Assad: Details of the Final Days in Syria

Additionally, members of the foundation shared images from the headquarters of the Syrian National Army, a group financed and supported by Turkey. These images prominently displayed posters of Erdogan on the walls.

Ibrahim Beşinci, the foundation’s president, who frequently joins official delegations on Erdogan’s international visits, contributed to this celebratory discourse. On his social media accounts, he wrote: “Our president has steadfastly confronted injustice in Syria for 13 years, paying a heavy price but never retreating. During this time, we have all witnessed his resilience and his defense of human dignity. He is a leader who rejects tyranny, a voice not just for this land but for all humanity. He has entered history, and by the grace of God, we have witnessed the liberation of Aleppo and Damascus. We pray to also witness the liberation of Gaza.”

• Has Erdogan’s regime turned against the Muslim Brotherhood? Details

• Decoys and Fake Helicopters: New Details Emerge About al-Assad’s Escape from Syria

Another foundation under Erdogan’s family control, Ensar, also posted online, stating: “Congratulations on the victory in Damascus.”

Other members of the two foundations shared messages in Arabic, such as: “He who perseveres triumphs,” alongside a speech by Erdogan congratulating the Syrian people following a cabinet meeting, a day after al-Assad’s fall.

In 2021, leaked images from TÜGVA’s secret archives revealed jihadist-style training camps targeting youth in Turkey and the Turkish diaspora in Europe and the United States.

The images showed young individuals marching under jihadist banners and attending lectures by extremist clerics linked to groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (Daesh).

• Has Erdogan lost all hope of Turkey joining the European Union?

• New Statements by Erdogan… Does it Shatter Turkey’s Dream of Joining the European Union?

• Former Intelligence Chief: Erdogan was aware of the coup attempt and deliberately allowed it