Kılıçdaroğlu condemned the dismissal decision in a statement made on his social media account.
"No one should fall into despair," said Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who made the following statement:
"My dear people,
A group of young lieutenants has been dismissed from the army solely because they said, 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal!' This decision targets not only those young people but millions who have devoted their hearts to the Republic.
If showing loyalty to Atatürk is considered a crime today, know that they are trying to shake the foundations of the Republic. But it is in vain! The foundation of this country is independence, and its spirit is the Kuvayı Milliye (National Forces).
No one should fall into despair! The soldiers of Mustafa Kemal can neither be dismissed nor silenced! We will defend our Republic and its values to the end."
News Source: 12punto
