Ministry of National Defense responds to Bakırhan's 'village guard' remarks: 'They are true heroes'

The Ministry of National Defense has responded to the statement made by DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan following the PKK's dissolution declaration, in which he said, "We will not leave the village guards unemployed, God willing. Take the weapon from their hands, give them a stick, and let them tend to animals in the village. It is a more honorable duty." 

The following statements were included in the announcement made by the Ministry of National Defense:

'OUR VILLAGE GUARDS ARE THE TRUE HEROES OF THE STRUGGLE'

"Our Security Village Guards, who have stood by their state and nation in the fight against terrorism, serving shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish Armed Forces and security forces with great courage, and who have become martyrs and veterans without hesitation, are among the true heroes of the fight against terrorism.

'STATEMENTS TARGETING OUR VILLAGE GUARDS...'

Statements targeting our Security Village Guards, who have always stood by their state as a beautiful example of state-nation integration, will be nothing more than a futile effort in the face of our nation's profound wisdom and spirit of unity and solidarity."