Veteran privates rebel against the MSB delegation that arrived after 20 days: 'You made us a laughingstock to terrorists'

Müyesser Yıldız - 12punto.com.tr

Veteran privates and families of fallen privates have been trying to make their voices heard for 20 days at Güvenpark in Kızılay, the heart of Ankara, just 500 meters away from the Parliament, in order to have their personal rights corrected.

Until today, many political party leaders, officials, non-governmental organizations, and citizens have visited them and expressed their support; however, there was no response from either the government or the MSB.

Then, on the 20th day, something unexpected happened: an MSB delegation consisting of two generals and a colonel arrived at Güvenpark.

Today had a specific significance; veteran private Erdal Özdemir, who had participated in the first days of the protest but was sent to his hometown of Denizli because he fell ill, had passed away and become a martyr. The MSB delegation arrived while one of our veteran privates was reciting the Quran for him around noon. After shaking hands with everyone, they were hosted in the place of honor. The Quran recitation ended, and prayers were said. Then, what happened, happened.

“WHILE THE PARLIAMENT STRUGGLES FOR OTHERS”

What happened?

The general leading the MSB delegation explained why they came with the following expressions:

“As a Ministry delegation, we present our respects. I am here to express with all our sincerity, as a commando officer, that I have a lump in my throat. You are the crown on our heads. With all our sincerity and heart, there is no difference between a veteran and a martyr for us. All veterans and families of martyrs are the crown on our heads. You are very precious; you are our lifeblood. We are aware of all your demands as a state and as a Ministry. Our President and our Minister are making efforts to see what can be done. Today, a commission meeting is currently ongoing in the Parliament. I am not saying this just for the sake of it; each of you is precious to us. Even if you want to separate from us, we will not separate from you. Our President, our Ministry, and our state are trying to do their best regarding your rights with all our institutions.”

After the general's speech, a visually impaired veteran who stood up and introduced himself asked the question, “You came on the orders of the Minister of National Defense, Yaşar Bey, right?”

Upon the answer “Yes,” he continued his words by saying, “Don't shoot the messenger,” and added:

“We do not believe in your sincerity at all. Did it take you 20 days to come to your senses? I am visually impaired; I will give my identity clearly, take action against me. We have been subjected to discrimination for years. The state is doing this. You are our guests, you have a place above our heads. This message is for the institution and for the Minister of Defense himself. We want concrete steps, not words. We are here until we die. They did not listen to us in the Parliament; they listened to the sellouts. Our representatives are not sellouts. We have been shouting for 20 days; but the Parliament is struggling for others. I strongly condemn the Ministry and the Presidency.”

The general said the following in response to these words:

“Our veteran is the crown on our heads. The Ministry of National Defense, especially our President, is always by your side, their compassion is always with you. We are not here to argue with our veteran. You are the crown on our heads. We are aware of your legitimate demands. Our state is by your side. Our veteran has given his two eyes, he is the crown on our heads. With all our sincerity, we have received your legitimate demands, and we are trying to do our best.”

“TELL US WHAT OUR DEMANDS ARE”

The MSB delegation asked the visually impaired veteran who showed the first reaction to sit down. However, the veteran said, “No, I will listen to you standing up.”

Afterwards, Platform President Erdem Çerçioğlu and other veterans joined the conversation, and the following dialogues, which became even harsher, took place:

Erdem Çerçioğlu: “You threw us into the lap of the Ministry of Family like trash.”

General: “Heaven forbid; our veterans are not trash, heaven forbid. You are the crown on our heads.”

Erdem Çerçioğlu: “Not a single person from here was called to the commission. We would have liked for someone from here to be called, not associations and foundations close to them. Then we could convey our demands to you.”

General: “We know all your demands.”

Erdem Çerçioğlu: “If you know them, can you tell us what they are?”

General: “We are here because we are by your side with all our sincerity. Otherwise, we are not here to argue with you. I cannot argue with a veteran who has given his two eyes. We are by your side. It was an occasion, we came to offer our condolences.”

Another veteran: “An perception is being created as if the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) is against it. Is that true?”

General: “No, we are always by our veterans' side and we are working. Do not look at the words of those who want to use the Ministry.”

Another veteran: “You always say the same things. We are not here for a salary.”

Erdem Çerçioğlu: “If you are by our side, why can't we have a cup of tea at the military guesthouse? We are only patted on the back on Veterans Day. The MSB has never been by our side.”

Another veteran: “We are starting a hunger strike on Monday. Please let the MSB be by our side.”

General: “What is necessary is being done. Your families are also upset.”

Erdem Çerçioğlu: “You made us a laughingstock to terrorists. Shame on you.”

General: “We cannot even put these two words in the same sentence, let alone side by side.”

Erdem Çerçioğlu: “You never made us feel that you were by our side. Even your coming after 20 days...”

General: “Our state is always by your side.”

A few veterans: “Let us send a representative from here to the Parliament. We have been going door to door for 4 years.”

General: “If we are here today as the MSB, it is to show that we are by your side.”

Following these dialogues, the MSB delegation stood up to leave and shook hands with the veterans. The veterans saw the delegation off after expressing their objections and reactions during the handshake.

Müyesser YILDIZ

August 1, 2026