Joint reaction from the Turkish Parliament to the attack on the Turkish flag by terrorist organization supporters: 'We do not just see red and white'

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Celal Adan. The General Assembly moved on to discussions regarding the Presidential Memorandum on extending the mandate of the Turkish Armed Forces naval elements serving in the Gulf of Aden, the Somali coast, the Arabian Sea, and adjacent regions for another year. Group deputy chairmen reacted to the attack on the Turkish flag by supporters of a terrorist organization on the Nusaybin-Qamishli border line with their speeches.

"Wherever they go in the world, they are punished and will be punished"

Regarding the attack, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Adan stated, "On the Mardin-Nusaybin border, a terrorist organization that betrays the unity, mercy, and compassion of this nation has attempted to lower the Turkish flag. This intent to lower it is a provocation by those who wish to target the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation. Wherever they go in the world, they are punished and will be punished. We, as the Bureau, condemn this."

"We are sure that they will be subjected to the penalties they deserve"

Mehmet Emin Ekmen, Group Deputy Chairman of the New Way Party (Yeni Yol Partisi), assessed, "It is impossible to accept any act in Turkey that would damage the sacred common values, flag, homeland, land, and state of Turkey, or any act directed at these symbols. We are sure that the perpetrators here will also be identified judicially, tried, and subjected to the penalties they deserve. It is impossible for this to be acceptable."

"Whoever engages in treason against our flag will find a response from the Turkish nation"

Stating that the attack was an act of treachery, IYI Party Group Deputy Chairman Turhan Çömez said, "Let those who attempt, think of, or intend such a vile attack know that they will be met with the harshest response. The Turkish flag is the flag of us all; it is the highest, most precious flag representing the unity and integrity of this noble homeland and this nation. Whoever engages in treason against our flag will find the strongest and harshest response from the noble Turkish nation and its representatives. Let no one ever think of such a thing again. I strongly condemn it and demand that the relevant and authorized bodies of the state take the necessary action and inform the Parliament."

"We are also waiting impatiently for the necessary action to be taken"

MHP Group Deputy Chairman Filiz Kılıç said regarding the attack on the Turkish flag, "When we look at the flag, we do not just see red and white; we see those who went thirsty in Yemen, those who froze in Sarıkamış, and those young suns who set for the sake of a crescent in Gallipoli. The shade of that red does not come from any paint bucket, but from the jugular veins of the heroes who fell to the ground saying, 'May the homeland be safe.' This is the essence and the word of our cause. We say that the place where the Nationalist Movement Party and the idealist movement stand is exactly in the shadow of that banner. We condemn the lowering of our Turkish flag once again. We are also waiting impatiently for the necessary action to be taken."

"We expect the authorities to do their duty"

Expressing that investigations should be conducted into how the incident occurred, CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir said, "We never accept our flag being attempted to be lowered by such dirty hands, no matter how, and we condemn it in the strongest terms. An investigation must definitely be conducted into how such an incident could be carried out, because our flag is our most valuable asset that every one of our members will protect, that every one of our members and every one of our citizens will defend to the end, and that represents the unity and solidarity of our republic. We expect the relevant parties and authorities to do their duty in this regard."

"The flag is the sole element that unites us"

AKP Group Deputy Chairman Özlem Zengin stated that an investigation had been launched and said, "I think it is very, very meaningful that every one of our friends and every group in the General Assembly today is of the same opinion. The flag is the sole element that unites us. We have seen this once again here today with these speeches. An investigation has already been launched regarding this matter, as stated in the declarations. An investigation has been launched into this issue, and when the information and details regarding where and how it was done emerge, they will certainly be shared in the General Assembly. I think our standing side-by-side on this issue is also meaningful for Turkey and our Parliament."