Turkish Defense Ministry denies used army uniforms given to Syrian rebels

ANKARA

A Free Syrian Army fighter sits on a sofa inside a house in Deir al-Zor May 13, 2013. Picture taken May 13, 2013. The Turkish main opposition party had claimed that used uniforms of the Turkish Armed Forces were given to Syrian rebels. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Turkish Defense Ministry officials have denied a claim by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) that used uniforms of the Turkish Armed Forces were given to Syrian rebels following a parliamentary question.

“A provocative approach that does not include truths,” ministry officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, were quoted as saying by daily Hürriyet, adding that a comprehensive response was being prepared.

CHP deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu submitted a parliamentary question after a photo surfaced showing a Syrian rebel with a Turkish Armed Forces uniform that had a rank on it. Officials said the Syrian spy agency al-Muhaberat might distribute the photo, altering it for the purpose of provocation, and rebels might do the same to give the message that Turkey supported them.

The official also added such uniforms could be obtained easily from shops.