Defense Ministry slams journalist’s ‘insulting’ remarks against Turkish generals

ANKARA

Turkey’s Defense Ministry on June 3 vehemently condemned remarks by Murat Alan, the news director of daily Yeni Akit, towards the generals of Turkish army, saying these remarks “scathe the rights and interests of the nation.”

“On June 1, one of the participants in a television program used destructive language adding up to defamation. Attempting to insult the commanding generals of the Turkish Armed Forces [TAF], who endeavor to do their duty with graveness and sincerity, before the public, scathes the rights and interests of our noble nation,” the ministry’s written statement said.

All members of the army come from the heart of the Turkish nation, the statement added.

The ministry also stressed that it is inevitable for these kinds of remarks to demoralize the army and the country, in the midst of successful military operations at home and abroad.

“We are vehemently condemning this inappropriate statement towards the honorable generals of TAF, which is beyond measure and legal boundaries,” the statement declared.

The ministry’s condemnation came a few days after Alan’s remarks in which the news director drew an analogy between the Turkish military’s commanding generals and “donkeys,” saying the generals have no choice but to abide by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

“Your generals with epaulets, who did not behave, now take a stand with Erdoğan. They will side with Erdoğan whether they like it or not,” Alan said on June 1.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also slammed Alan’s remarks, echoing the ministry’s statement by saying the news director’s statement was “presumptuous.”

“Some circles are trying to hurt our solidarity. Nobody can speak ill of the TAF, its order structure, generals, officers or sergeants. These people will pay before the law,” Akar said on June 4.
“As the Defense Ministry and TAF, we will continue to do everything that needs to be done, within the scope of law. These people will learn to not cross the lines. They will pay before the judiciary,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also condemned Alan’s remarks, saying it is “disturbing.”

Altun added that it is “unfortunate” that these statements included President Erdoğan.

Concurrently, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson Ömer Çelik too slammed the journalist’s comments.

“It is unacceptable for someone to insult our generals by using Mr. President’s name. We reject and condemn these statements from top to bottom,” Çelik said.