Presidential motion passes in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

The presidential motion passed the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) by a majority vote.

At the conclusion of the General Assembly's meeting on the agenda of terrorism, the motion bearing the signature of TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş was read.

The motion stated that on January 12, 2024, in the Claw-Lock Operation region in northern Iraq, 9 heroic soldiers—Infantry First Lieutenant Gökhan Delen, Infantry Specialist Sergeants Serkan Sayın, Ahmet Köroğlu, and Hakan Gün, Infantry Contracted Privates Kemal Batur, Müslüm Özdemir, and Emrullah Gülmez, and Combat Engineer Contracted Privates Murat Atar and Muhammed Tunahan Evcin—attained martyrdom out of love for their homeland during a clash with terrorists attempting to infiltrate a base area.

Emphasizing that the martyrs are the children of everyone and the pride of this nation, the motion reported that the Veteran Assembly wishes God's mercy upon the martyrs, offers condolences to the nation and the grieving families of the martyrs, and wishes a speedy recovery to the heroic soldiers wounded in the attack. The motion recorded the following:

"Those who carried out this heinous terrorist attack have undoubtedly paid and will continue to pay a heavy price for it. Terrorism will never reach its goal. We declare to the entire world that the Turkish nation will never bow to terrorism, and that the Republic of Turkey possesses the power and strength to resolutely combat all terrorist organizations, primarily the PKK/YPG/PYD and DAESH, which pose a threat to the security of the Republic of Turkey, both domestically and abroad. We also question the sincerity of states that remain silent—and even provide support—to the propaganda tools, the harboring of ringleaders, and the provision of finance, personnel, and weapons to terrorist organizations that target Turkey in their own capitals, and we once again importantly remind them that they must end their double-standard approaches.

We expect other countries' parliaments, especially those of neighboring countries, and international organizations to adopt a clear and uncompromising stance against terrorist acts directed at Turkey. The whole world should know that our struggle will continue in an uncompromising manner until the last terrorist is neutralized, terrorism is eradicated at its source, and all support behind terrorism is eliminated. Our Veteran Assembly, which is the manifestation of the national will, will continue to be a close follower of this process."

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER KURTULMUŞ: ADOPTED BY A LARGE MAJORITY

TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş stated that the motion was brought to the General Assembly agenda following negotiations with the political party groups in the Assembly and submitted the motion to a vote.

Upon the adoption of the motion as a result of the vote, Kurtulmuş said, "It has been adopted by a large majority. I express my gratitude to the TBMM for demonstrating such a will."

Numan Kurtulmuş reported that there were also deputies who voted "yes" to the motion from parties that do not have a group in the parliament, not just those that do, and thanked them.