AKP MP Hulusi Akar responds to 'earthquake' criticisms

AKP Kayseri MP Hulusi Akar responded to criticisms that the TSK was not on the ground during the February 6 earthquake, stating, "The earthquake occurred at 04:17. I called our President at 5:00. Since that day, the Turkish Armed Forces have been on their feet; know this."

İHA

Speaking at a program titled 'Turkey's Security Policy' in Eskişehir, former Minister of National Defense and AKP Kayseri MP Hulusi Akar argued that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) personnel had been on the ground and working continuously since the first hour of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, stating, "However, some people are unfortunately being shameless, immoral, rude, and wrong."

Former Minister of National Defense and Kayseri MP Hulusi Akar, who came to Eskişehir for a series of visits, attended a program organized at a foundation in the evening hours.

Participating as a speaker in the program titled 'Turkey's Security Policy', Akar made statements regarding the current agenda.

"THEY HAVE BEEN ON THEIR FEET SINCE THE FIRST MOMENT AND DID NOT STOP FOR A MINUTE"

Arguing that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) personnel had been working continuously following the earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, centered in Kahramanmaraş and causing massive destruction in 11 provinces, Akar said, "The earthquake occurred at 04:17. I called our President at 5:00. Since that day, the Turkish Armed Forces have been on their feet; know this. However, some people are unfortunately being shameless, immoral, rude, and wrong. Where was the soldier? We provided information to the President at 5:00 and he said, 'Okay, you go.' From that moment on, our Land, Naval, and Air forces, ships, aircraft, and other units were all on alert. However, inside the city, within the field, the 2nd Army region, the place where Malatya is, everything was destroyed. All our soldiers, in addition to the work of others, have been on their feet 24 hours a day since the first moment and did not stop for a minute."

"700 THOUSAND SYRIANS HAVE RETURNED SO FAR"

Stating that some of the Syrians who came to Turkey after the war have returned and that those remaining will also leave, Hulusi Akar said, "We are trying to normalize life there by preparing suitable conditions with our own means and the means of friends and allies, day and night, for conditions to be met in northern Syria. As life normalizes and conditions are met, the people here are also returning to their homes in a voluntary, safe, and dignified manner. So far, 600-700 thousand people have returned, and they will return. But to insist on this as if poking a finger in a blind man's eye, saying 'let them return.' Well, the conditions are clear. Therefore, this should also be known in this way."