20.01.2026 19:15
Speaking at the group meeting of his party in the Parliament, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel stated regarding the developments in Syria, "We say to those trying to create an equation that equates Kurds with terrorists again, get your heads straight, do not hurt our Kurdish brothers in Turkey or their relatives in Syria."
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made evaluations regarding the agenda at his party's group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
Referring to the recent developments in Syria, Özel said the following:
"WE MUST SPEAK WORDS THAT CONSIDER BOTH THE REGION AND TURKEY"
"Our neighbor Syria has experienced deep pain and losses for many years, and this situation has deeply affected our country as well. They were silent on this issue, and then they shared the guilt of the group deputy chairman who said, 'You were silent while Muslims were being slaughtered for years, now you are shouting that Alevis are being slaughtered.' At first, Gökhan Günaydın did not take advantage of the situation, saying, 'This statement is going in the wrong direction, correct it if you want.' They did not correct it, and instead insisted that they were right. Ömer Çelik supported it, Erdoğan continued in office, and this situation was attributed to the party. Now we are at a point where they come to us and say, 'You were silent while Syria was in that state.' What silence? Our delegations went to Syria three times. When a group composed of different gangs from Idlib moved towards Damascus, just two days ago Erdoğan had a clear statement saying, 'We have no connection with the group moving from Idlib.' Later, it was learned that Colani was prepared by England and America, and was supported by Israel, and they became partners with it. Remember last December, we spent it listening to Erdoğan's great victory, then what happened; there are other things in those matters. These days, they are trying to do something again by looking at what is happening, and we need to speak words that consider both the region and Turkey.
"WE HAVE ALWAYS DEFENDED SYRIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND STABILITY"
We have always wished for the suffering to be a lesson for everyone, for the problems to be learned to be solved through diplomacy, and for the conflicts to end throughout all the painful processes in Syria. We have always defended Syria's territorial integrity and stability. We wanted all beliefs and identities to live under constitutional guarantees, and we continue to want that. We have structured our policies and political language accordingly. However, we are sadly following the fact that Syria is being dragged back into a conflictual environment. For this reason, we emphasize the importance of diplomacy, sitting at the table, adhering to the agreements reached, and everyone keeping their promises.
"IT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD THAT TRUE LIBERATION WILL BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMMON FUTURE FOR ALL OUR BROTHER IDENTITIES"
We are closely monitoring the developments in Syria and evaluating them responsibly. It should be seen that the atmosphere of tension will not benefit Syria, Turkey, or the regional countries; everyone must act with common sense. There must be a conscious break from easy judgments; a calm, long-term peaceful mindset must be constructed. This mindset is the one that will ensure our security, sustainable peace, a permanent liberation from weapons and tears, democratization, equality-based brotherhood, and development. This mindset is the common intelligence of our brother countries, identities, and beliefs. It should be understood that no benefit has ever come from imperialist ambitions and interests, and true liberation will be achieved through the construction of a common future for all our brother identities.
"WE SAY DO NOT HURT OUR KURDISH BROTHERS IN TURKEY AND THEIR RELATIVES IN SYRIA"
With this understanding, we hope for the definitive implementation of the agreement between the parties in Syria. We invite everyone to defend peace and brotherhood, not to fuel the war. In this context, we have great sensitivity for the Syrian Kurds, who are our relatives. We feel sensitivity and concern for the situation of the Alevis in Syria, who are our relatives. We see the Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, and Alevis in Syria as our brothers, relatives, neighbors, and inseparable parts. Today, we sadly follow the new perception operations pursued by the ruling media and fed trolls, who do not hesitate to use expressions that offend and belittle the Kurds. We reject all of these aggressive statements. To those trying to create an equation where Kurds equal terrorists, we say to get your act together, do not hurt our Kurdish brothers in Turkey and their relatives in Syria."
"ISIS IS THE ENEMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY"
It is a scandal that AK Party Spokesman Ömer Çelik confessed that they opened the doors for the peshmerga to come to support when ISIS attacked Kobani, based on a phone call from President Obama to Erdoğan. His statement is an admission of a reality and a scandal for the AK Party as well. The fact that they waited for Obama's phone for days to protect the Kurds from the ISIS attack is the clearest indication that they will also expect instructions from Trump in the face of an ISIS threat today. This statement has unfortunately been an admission of the AK Party's perspective on the region. These days, we are following the situation regarding the prisons where notorious ISIS criminals are held with concern. The potential authority weakness that may arise regarding the transfer of control in the prisons or the possibility of ISIS detainees being released due to some past relationships is causing great anxiety for all of us. Let us not forget that the ISIS you speak of are the murderers who martyred three of our police officers in Yalova. The ISIS you speak of are the murderers who indiscriminately shot 46 of our citizens at Atatürk Airport, they are beheaders, and they are the enemy of the Republic of Turkey.
"WHAT HAPPENS IN SYRIA SHOULD NOT INTERRUPT THE PEACE PROCESS IN TURKEY"
The government must act not as a party to the conflict in Syria but as a protector of peace and reconciliation. Turkey must prove that it is a place of peace and stability in these times when we need peace more than ever. What happens in Syria should not disrupt the peace process in Turkey; a strong story of brotherhood must be written within ourselves. As CHP, we want everyone to be assured that we will do our utmost for Turkey's democratization and for the Kurdish issue to be resolved in a way that satisfies everyone. Today is the day to walk resolutely on the path of a terror-free and democratic Turkey without falling into the ease of 'my hand is stronger, your hand is stronger.' Today is the day to walk towards peace, brotherhood, and regional development for Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and people of all religions in Turkey and Syria without being a pawn of imperialist plans. Turks and Kurds are brothers in both Turkey and Syria. CHP will not allow this brotherhood to be disrupted in Turkey and Syria. We object to the fact that some want us to fight and drift apart, feeding off of terror and conflict, leading to both Turkish and Kurdish children being unable to be nourished and unable to look to the future with confidence; we will break these games, and we are determined on this matter.
In the heart of the city, there is a beautiful park where people come to relax and enjoy nature. The trees are tall and green, providing shade on sunny days. Children play on the swings, and couples stroll hand in hand along the paths. It is a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life.