Erdoğan vows ‘new era’ for southeastern Şırnak province

ŞIRNAK

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has promised a new era for the southeastern province of Şırnak, whose elected mayor was ousted after being accused of being “supported” by the illegal PKK.

“Now there is a new Şırnak. We want a new era to begin in Şırnak with the rule of the AKP, which will be the one responsible of you, not those supported by the terrorist group,” he said at a rally in the province. 

Erdoğan was referring to the province’s mayor from the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) who was replaced by a trustee with a presidential decree two years ago.

“Şırnak very well appreciated the service and knows very well about the oppression and trenches dug by the PKK. Neither this country nor Şırnak has a child that will get recruited to terrorist organizations,” he stated.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) does not make discriminations between the country’s western provinces and Şırnak, he said.

“This country and this state is for all of us. For this reason, we call it a ‘single nation.’ Everyone living in this country is equal, regardless of his ethnicity,” he stated.

He said 300,000 Kurdish Syrians from Kobane are currently taking shelter in Turkey without any discrimination.

“We, as the followers of the religion of mercy, will always treat those in need with compassion. This is such a great state,” he said.

Erdoğan reiterated that the upcoming March 31 local elections are “indispensable for the survival of Turkey.”

“It is one of the critical elections of the country, which will vote not only for mayors but also the ‘future’ of Şırnak,” he said.

“What was the state of Şırnak 10 years ago? Everywhere was full of garbage dump, mud and pits. We came and built these beautiful buildings,” he said.