By Cigdem Alyanak

ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday commemorated Ertugrul Gazi, the father of Osman bey who founded the Ottoman Empire.

“The struggle of Ertugrul Gazi is the most concrete and striking example of what our nation is capable of doing when gets united […],” Erdogan said in a statement to mark the 737th death anniversary of Ertugrul Gazi.

The Ottoman Empire was founded in present-day Sogut district of Turkey’s western Bilecik province.

“We work day and night for the security, peace, welfare, and future of all our brothers and sisters in our country as well as in our region and around the world,” Erdogan added.

Separately, speaking at a commemoration event in Turkey’s Bilecik province, Turkey’s Parliament Speaker Binali Yildirim said Turkey will thwart any “operation” or “game” against the country’s economy.

Turkey-U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations since Washington imposed sanctions on Turkey’s interior and justice ministers after Ankara refused to release an American pastor who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Turkey.