First reaction from Turkey to Soleimani's killing comes from the opposition

Duvar English

Killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani through a U.S. strike in Iraq could be the “beginning of new and bigger problems” in the Middle East, said Turkish opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on Friday at a press conference in Ankara.

Journalist Murat Yetkin in his personal blog quoted Kılıçdaroğlu as saying: "Iran is an important and influential country of the region. Soleimani has been a figure in fight against ISIS. I hope the events will not drag the region toward a cliff. We need minds, hearts and sympathy to solve the problems, not guns. I wish both the U.S. and Iran can act in common sense." 

"Turkey should be kept away from the ring of fire"

Kılıçdaroğlu urged President Tayyip Erdoğan to follow a moderate policy regarding the Middle East and keep Turkey away from the ring of fire.

Qasim Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone attack on Jan.3. Pentagon held him responsible of attacks on coalition targets in Iraq, including the raid on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on the last day of 2019. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended in a tweet that "it was a defensive decision" and their administration is committed to de-escalation.

Murat Yetkin's article on Kılıçdaroğlu's reaction to Qasim Soleimani's killing can be reached here