Turkey's main opposition leader stands against war with Syria

BALIKESIR - Doğan News Agency

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu mentioned the words of the founder of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, “War is a crime if it’s not obligatory." DHA Photo

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has again slammed the government’s desire to engage in a military operation against Syria, calling for peace in the region.

“We neither want war in our country, nor with our neighbors. We want Muslims to stop killing Muslims,” Kılıçdaroğlu said late on Sept. 17 in the northwestern province of Balıkesir, where he was attending a commemoration ceremony in the Bandırma district.

He also mentioned the words of the founder of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, “War is a crime if it’s not obligatory,” and urged the government to pursue non-military actions to stop the violence in neighboring Syria.

“If there’s a problem in that country, let’s aid a resolution of that problem. But we should not hand weapons to them, cross the borders and send them there,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

The CHP head also criticized the government for “sending other people’s kids to war.”

“Your child doesn’t serve in the military, but you attempt to wage war on people’s children. If you will fight, send your own kids,” he said.