UPDATE - Erdogan: Muslims being targeted through blood, strife

UPDATES WITH FURTHER REMARKS OF ERDOGAN AT THE YALOVA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF AK PARTY

By Sorwar Alam and Meryem Goktas

ANKARA (AA) - The Muslim world is the target of plots to reshape it to the benefit of others, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Saturday.

"Like a century ago, the Islamic world is facing efforts to reshape it through blood, tears, and strife between brothers," Erdogan said in Istanbul, at the 7th Hadith and Sira Studies Awards Ceremony.

He called on people "to be prepared for attacks which try to bring down Muslims from within."

"When Muslims are at odds, the ones that benefit are terrorist groups, and countries like Israel that use state terror," he said.

Erdogan also reiterated his condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Also on Saturday, in an address at the Yalova Provincial Congress of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, Erdogan urged the UN and the Security Council to take action against Trump's move on Jerusalem.

"If you [UN, Security Council] will not, we will approach relevant authorities within the legal framework," he said.

"Turkey will not stop defending Palestine or Jerusalem just because Israel wants it to.

"We supported our brothers and sisters in Bosnia, in the Caucasus and around the world. We are doing the same today, more strongly and more decisively, and we will continue to do so.

"We will never give up this task that our ancestors have entrusted us with," he added.

Erdogan also stated that Turkey will not allow the establishment of a terrorist state in Syria and will not watch the division of Iraq based on sect and ethnicity.

Following Trump’s announcement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) this week issued a declaration recognizing East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.

Erdogan said the OIC move would create a multiplier effect, encouraging other nations to follow in its lead.