Sharp political backlash to Bakırhan's 'village guard' remarks: 'When no one else could step outside...'

Meeting with farmers in Muş, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan had recalled that the terrorist organization PKK had laid down its arms and stated that there was no longer a need for village guards serving in the East and Southeast.

Bakırhan had used the expressions, "We will not leave the village guards unemployed, hopefully. Take the weapon in their hand, give them a stick, let them tend to animals in the village. It is a more honorable duty."

DEM Party member Bakırhan's proposal regarding village guards drew numerous reactions from both the political world and the public.

'WILL YOU LET THESE RAG-WEARERS CRUSH THE CHILDREN OF THE HOMELAND?'

Addressing Bakırhan, IYI Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu said, "Village guards are our children who have fought at the cost of their lives for the Republic of Turkey. Will you abandon tens of thousands of our Zaza, Turkmen, and Kurdish brothers, who have stood by their state rather than on the side of terror, to the insults of this base language? Will you let these rag-wearers crush the children of the homeland who stand for unity and the Red Flag? Shame on you!"

'TRAITORS CANNOT CAST ASPERSIONS'

Another reaction came from the People's Alliance partner, Great Unity Party (BBP) Chairman Mustafa Destici.

"The village guard system is the headquarters of those who refuse to live in the shadow of terror and who stand by the nation and the state. Protecting these heroes is not just a security issue, but also a national duty," said Destici, adding, "Traitors who cannot grasp what the concept of homeland means cannot cast aspersions on these children of the homeland who possess this honor! Those who defend such twisted thoughts must learn to respect these children of the homeland who shoulder the burden of the fight against terror. Because the Turkish nation does not forget its martyrs and does not leave its heroes alone."

'THE STATE CANNOT LEAVE THEM ABANDONED'

Anahtar Party Chairman Yavuz Ağıralioğlu also shared a message regarding the village guards on his X account:

"Our village guards, who have fought selflessly for 41 years for the continuation of our state and nation's existence and for the ideal of a Turkey without terror, who have given martyrs and become veterans, are the honor of the state, just like our security forces.

No struggle or negotiation is conducted over honor. The state cannot leave anyone who has paid a price for its own existence abandoned!

The power of the state is the stick of the village guards who have fought for 41 years toward the realization of a Turkey without terror. I am reminding you politely."

'WHEN NO ONE COULD STEP OUTSIDE...'

The Turkish Security Village Guards responded to DEM Party member Bakırhan, who suggested they 'become shepherds,' via social media:

"Our statement against DEM's Tuncer Bakırhan.. Between 1978 and 1990, the terrorist organization PKK was carrying out bloody acts and treacherous attacks; the Village Guard system was established in 1985 to fight the PKK, and very heavy blows were dealt to the organization. When no one could step outside, the Village Guards stood against the terrorist organization and disrupted it. Abdullah Öcalan said in an interrogation that the Village Guards caused us a lot of trouble, we told them to join us, they did not accept, so we attacked them regardless of age. We are grateful to our 2 thousand Security Village Guard friends who were martyred in this cause, our 3 thousand veteran Village Guards, and all our Martyrs.. may their souls rest in peace.."

Here are some of the reactions to Bakırhan...