Main opposition CHP to reject motion regarding Turkey's military operations in Iraq and Syria
Turkish main opposition CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu has stated that they will reject the motion regarding the military's presence in Iraq and Syria, saying it will enable foreign soldiers to enter Turkey.
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Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on Oct. 10 said his party will reject the upcoming motion on the grounds that it allows “the invitation of foreign soldiers into Turkey when necessary,” adding that the CHP is willing to support every action against terrorism.
Speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Kılıçdaroğlu added “We do not want any foreign soldiers to set foot into Turkey.”
Kılıçdaroğlu addressed the government ally ultra-nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, who spoke in favor of the motion, and said anyone who identifies as a nationalist would oppose foreign soldier presence in Turkey.
MHP leader Bahçeli had stated in his party's parliamentary group meeting on Oct. 10 that the CHP and Kılıçdaroğlu would be “committing treason” if they opposed the motion, according to reporting from state-run Anadolu Agency.
“If Kılıçdaroğlu is disturbed by terrorism and his party keeps its distance from terrorism, let them explain where they stand (on this matter),” Bahçeli added.
Following the Oct. 1 explosion in Ankara, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had stated that the assailants “came from Syria,” and from now on all PKK/YPG facilities in Iraq and Syria were “legitimate targets.”
The presidential motion to extend the Turkish armed forces’ (TSK) presence in Syria and Iraq for two years arrived at the parliament on Oct. 5, and will be voted on the following week.
The motion cites “PKK and ISIS presence and attempts at ethnically motivated discrimination” in Iraq and “terrorist activity of PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party)/PYD (Democratic Union Party), YPG militia and ISIS” continuing at the Syrian border as direct threats to national security.
The United States and European Union deem the PKK and ISIS a terrorist organization, but not the YPG and PYD.
CHP's ally, right-wing nationalist İYİ (Good) Party has announced that they will support the motion.