Özgür Özel's warning to the government about HTŞ: A new disaster will occur.

CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel spoke at a memorial ceremony held in memory of Martyr Corporal Mustafa Fehmi Kubilay, and the guards Hasan and Şevki, in İzmir.

In his speech, Özel reacted to Menemen Mayor Aydın Pehlivan, who visited the tomb of Sheikh Esad Erbili, one of the perpetrators of Martyr Corporal Kubilay. Özel said, "Today, with a project by the Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, which is unworthy of this country, they took little children in February 2024 to the tomb of a so-called sheikh among those who martyred Kubilay. The images there saddened all of us and disturbed us. As if that wasn't enough, the mayor of Menemen visited the same tomb, further troubling our consciences. Then today, he came and attended the ceremony. And on behalf of the people of Menemen, he placed that wreath here. Now, I leave it to the people of Menemen to decide whether someone in that image is sincere there or here," he said.

"FROM NOW ON, NO ONE SHOULD MAKE SUCH A BIG MISTAKE"

Özel continued his remarks by saying, "Let this be a lesson for the general chairman of this party, for me, for the provincial chairman, for our MPs, and for the Atatürkists of Menemen; if we cannot choose a CHP member to place that wreath in Menemen in an atmosphere where 29 of our 31 mayoral candidates were elected, that shame is enough for us. I give this criticism, and all Atatürkists in Menemen should give it too. And I swear that until someone from the party founded by Atatürk comes and places that wreath here on behalf of the people of Menemen, there will always be a fire burning inside me. May it burn for you too, and from now on, no one should make such a big mistake," he expressed.

WARNING TO THE GOVERNMENT REGARDING HTŞ

Özel also addressed the government regarding HTŞ, which has taken control in Syria, saying, "If a democratic regime comes to Syria, and if the government can change through fair and sincere elections, then the bloodshed in Syria will stop, and this would be the best for Turkey as well. Instead, if someone who has the potential to govern and manage a process like Afghanistan, where just 6-7 years ago they did things that television could only show with censorship, comes to power in that country, it would be a new disaster if the Republic of Turkey provides unconditional support to them. We propose and support a democratic regime in Syria, a parliament determined by elections, and a government system that will be formed from it."

ADDRESSING ERDOĞAN REGARDING LIEUTENANTS

The CHP General Chairman addressed President Erdoğan regarding the lieutenants whose expulsion was requested after the sword oath ceremony at the Military Academy. Özel said in his speech: "Those lieutenants said, 'We are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal.' Their commander is Mustafa Kemal. Now, your political partner, the fez-wearing Deli Kadir, was saying, 'I wish the Greeks had won.' I have never been in favor of polarization. Here, everyone will show their side. I am a soldier of Mustafa Kemal alongside those lieutenants. Will you stand with your teacher, Fez-wearing Deli Kadir, or will you stand with Mustafa Kemal? I call out to Erdoğan. If the lieutenants are removed from their glorious duties, then you will have declared to the whole world that you are on the wrong side."