Turkish Opposition Leader Slams Ankara for ‘Interfering' in Syrian Affairs

Kemal Kılıcdaroglu, chairman of Turkey's main opposition party the Republican People's Party (CHP) commented on the current political situation in Turkey and its foreign policy in an interview with Radio Sputnik.

In particular, the politician condemned the arrests of Kurdish deputies and opposition journalists and criticized the strategy of the Turkish government in Syria, saying that Turkey's involvement in the Middle East is "the biggest foreign policy mistake in Turkey's history."

"The AKP [Justice and Development Party] government is responsible for the bloodshed in Syria. We warned against weapons' supplies to Syria. As a result, even the tribes in the Middle East region are now posing a challenge to Turkey," the politician told Sputnik.

The politician also recalled that the country deployed its troops in Jarabulus under the pretext of ensuring Turkey's national security. According to Kılıcdaroglu, however, the security of the country should be guaranteed by "other means than interfering in the Syria's affairs."

"War in the Middle East has always been disastrous for us. It is necessary to stop interfering in the internal affairs of countries in the region and respect the will of the peoples living there," the politician stressed.

A similar opinion was expressed by Kılıcdaroglu with regard to the recent victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election. He stressed that Turkey should respect the choice of the Americans regardless of whether it is pleased with the results of the election or not.

"The time will show whether and to what extent he [Trump] will fulfill his promises made during the election campaign. State structures in the United States have great power and their own established traditions. Therefore, there shouldn't be illusions that the president can completely independently rule the country," Kılıcdaroglu said.

In Kılıcdaroglu's opinion, the domestic policy of the current government also leaves much to be desired. Crackdown on the freedom of speech as well as numerous arrests across the country shows that the Turkish government "uses well-known methods of pressure on society," the politician argued.

"Turkey is not being ruled properly. Everyone can see that, including those citizens who voted for the AKP in the elections," the politician told Sputnik.

On July 15, a military coup attempt took place in Turkey that was suppressed the following day. Over 240 people were killed during the thwarted coup and an estimated 2,000 were wounded.

Although the politician believes that there is no threat that the coup attempt could take place again in the near future, he thinks that "Turkish authorities could be interested in creating and maintaining an image of such threat to Turkish society in order to be able to continue with its repressive methods."