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

Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD) President Abdurrahman Kaan and the Domestic Branch Presidents made a press statement regarding the treacherous attack in Idlib 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 Idlib, Kaan stated that as MÜSİAD they were ready for any duty.

After the contacts, Kaan proceeded to Hatay State Hospital, where, together with our Board of Directors members and our Domestic Branch Presidents, he visited our soldiers who were wounded in the Idlib 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 regarding the attacks that caused the martyrdom of 33 of our soldiers in Idlib.

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

Noting 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 a country's order, Kaan underlined that our state is present in Idlib in order to protect our own national security against a major threat right beside us. Kaan said: “We existed in both the Sochi and the Astana processes as a party that proposed solutions rather than aggravating problems, and in these processes we acted in line with our state tradition's principles of unification and protection. We did not view 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 sensitivities, and we strove to resolve the human tragedy there. Our Mehmetçik always stands beside the oppressed and against the oppressor. He is at the front for the good of the world, in the trenches in the name 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 regime forces had violated the borders determined within the framework of the Manbij agreement under the pretext of an “operation against terrorists”, Kaan spoke as follows:

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

We have no doubt that, against the regime's unlawful actions and its attacks on Mehmetçik, the Glorious Turkish Army will do what is necessary. Preserving our togetherness and closing ranks in difficult times, as we always do, will be conduct befitting us and our culture.

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 at the table through diplomatic means or in the field through military measures, we declare clearly and unequivocally that as MÜSİAD we stand by our state and our people with all our means and strength".