PRESIDENT KAAN: WE STAND BY OUR STATE AND OUR PEOPLE

Abdurrahman Kaan, President of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD), and the Domestic Branch Presidents made a press statement on the treacherous attack in İdlib at the Presidents’ Meeting held in Hatay within the scope of the 103rd General Administrative Board

Before the statement, President Abdurrahman Kaan came together with İskenderun District Governor İskender Yönden, Hatay Mayor Fatih Tosyalı, İskenderun District Health Director Dr. Volkan Yeter and our District Commanders. Exchanging views on the developments in İdlib, Kaan stated that as MÜSİAD they were ready for any kind of duty.

Following these contacts, Kaan proceeded to Hatay State Hospital, where, together with our Board Members and our Domestic Branch Presidents, he visited our soldiers who were wounded in the İdlib attack. Kaan and our MÜSİAD members subsequently attended the funeral ceremony held for our martyrs.

Finally, Kaan came to the hall where the Presidents’ Meeting was held and made a press statement there on the attacks that caused 33 of our soldiers to be martyred in İdlib.

“The Mehmetçik Is on Campaign to Rush to the Aid of Those Whose Rights Have Been Taken Away”

Kaan noted that throughout its history the State of the Republic of Türkiye has never taken part in an occupation that would violate the territorial integrity of another state or in an attack that would disrupt the order of a country, and he underlined that our state is present in İdlib in order to protect our own national security against a major threat right next to us. Kaan said, “In both the Sochi and the Astana processes we existed as a party that proposed solutions rather than aggravating problems, and in those processes we acted in line with the unifying and protective principles of our state tradition. We did not regard the state of war in Syria merely as diplomatic and military crisis management. As the Republic of Türkiye, we were the only country to approach the matter with humanitarian sensitivity, and we strove to resolve the human tragedy there. Our Mehmetçik always stands by the oppressed and against the oppressor. He is at the front for the good of the world and in the trenches for the sake of humanity. He is on campaign to rush to the aid of those whose rights have been taken away.”

“The Glorious Turkish Army Will Do What Is Necessary”

Emphasizing that the regime forces had violated the borders determined within the framework of the Manbij agreement under the pretext of an “operation against terrorists”, Kaan said the following:

“The regime forces and their patrons, who have turned a deaf ear to Türkiye’s calls for a ceasefire and withdrawal so that the refugees who had to leave their homes under harsh winter conditions can return to their homes and a safe corridor can be opened, are continuing their unlawful actions. The attacks we have been subjected to on the lands where we are present on justified grounds comply with no principle of international law and run counter to international agreements.

We have no doubt that the Glorious Turkish Army will do what is necessary in the face of the regime’s unlawful actions and its attacks on the Mehmetçik. Preserving our unity and closing ranks in difficult times, as we have always done, will be conduct worthy of us and of our culture.

We declare clearly and unequivocally that, in every decision to be taken with regard to the material and spiritual peace and the interests of our state and our nation, and in every step to be taken whether through diplomatic means at the table or through military measures in the field, as MÜSİAD we stand by our state and our people with all our means and strength".