CHP, HDP slam government over extended troop deployment in Iraq, Syria

Photo: HDP

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The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) were the two parties that opposed the motion extending Turkey's troop deployment in Iraq and Syria in yesterday's (October 26) vote in the parliament.

The CHP supported a separate motion concerning the troops in Lebanon while its ally İYİ (Good) Party supported both motions.

"We don't want any of our soldiers and police officers to martyr in Syria," said CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, speaking at his party's group meeting ahead of the vote. "We'll bring peace to Syria, we'll make peace with all our neighbors."

Kılıçdaroğlu also questioned an article in the motion about "the presence of foreign armed forces in Turkey and their use according to principles determined by the president."

"Who are these foreign troops?.. Will you bring the Taliban? Who will come, the Americans, the Germans or the French?"

"The people's agenda"

HDP Co-Chair Pervin Buldan also addressed her party's parliamentary group yesterday.

"While poverty, unemployment ... and injustice in on the people's agenda, there are again war motions on the government's agenda," she remarked.

"You will never be able to cover up the great economic and social collapse you have caused with battle cries," Buldan said, adding that prolonged military operations will probably cause prices to release even further.

"The main reason for both poverty and unemployment is the money spent on war. While they are pointing at the Syria operation, they'll carry out the actual operation inside the country. They'll make the biggest raises," Buldan remarked.

Also addressing the opposition parties, Buldan said they shouldn't be a part of the government efforts to disrupt the peace in Syria. (AS/DŞ/VK)