Support from Özgür Özel for dismissed officers

Reactions to the dismissal of the lieutenants who said "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" are growing like an avalanche...

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel emphasized in a statement on the X platform that the decision taken against the officers is an attack on Atatürk and the army he founded.

Özel stated, "In the army founded by Atatürk, saying 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal' is not a crime. The crime is purging Atatürk's soldiers from his army."

Özel further criticized the government for placing those who attempted the July 15 coup into the army while dismissing Atatürkist commanders, saying, "The lieutenants and Atatürkist commanders you dismissed from the army today did not allow the coup. But you are the ones who filled the army with those who attempted the coup on July 15."

Stating that the internal structure of the Turkish army is robust, Özel said, "No matter what you do, the Turkish army's constitution is so strong that it will repel the poison trying to enter it."

The CHP leader stated that they find the government's decision wrong and that when they come to power, they will reinstate the dismissed lieutenants to their glorious uniforms. He concluded his remarks by saying, "We will hold those who are complicit in this wrong decision accountable."

The government has signed off on another disgraceful decision today. Our 5 lieutenants and 3 commanders who said "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" have been dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces.

The decision is the manifestation of an anti-Atatürk mentality that introduces politics into the barracks. In the army founded by Atatürk,...

— Özgür Özel (@eczozgurozel) January 31, 2025

News Source: 12punto