CHP opposes Turkey’s imminent anti-ISIL military mission in Syria

ANKARA

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has refused to support an imminent Turkish military operation which the government says will be against ISIL, claiming Turkey was given this task by the U.S.

“We do not have ISIL on our borders. They are taking Turkish soldiers into the quagmire in Syria,” Kılıçdaroğlu said at his party’s group meeting.

Turkey is susceptible to any external dangers, he stressed.

“Who gave you the order? Who is telling you to combat in [Syria],” said Kılıçdaroğlu, recalling Defense Minister Hulusi Akar’s earlier comments on Turkey’s “duty to finish ISIL in Syria.”

“Why should Turkish soldiers die while Trump avoids the casualties of U.S. soldiers in the war-torn country,” the CHP leader said, warning that Turkey was now open to “all sorts of foreign threats.”

Turkey had announced that a military operation against ISIL can commence in the coming days.

“After Mr. President’s meeting with Mr. Trump, Turkish Armed Forces has undertaken the duty in the combat with ISIL. We will efficiently fulfill our duty in the days ahead,” the minister said on Jan. 1.

The CHP leader also criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) economic policies.

“[Turkey] does not have a 10-year development plan. They did not plan what to do with the taxes to be collected from citizens in the next five to 10 years,” he said.

“They say they are going to tax fairly. The government should first distribute income equally,” Kılıçdaroğlu added.

He also asked whether the government will get financial support from the IMF after the upcoming local elections on March 31.