Yeni Şafak columnist targets lieutenants: Makes FETÖ insinuation

Yeni Şafak columnist Hüseyin Likoğlu has targeted the young lieutenants who chanted 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal' and subsequently faced an investigation.

Likoğlu stated that investigations following the July 15 coup attempt revealed that more than 1,500 lieutenants who entered military high schools between 2000 and 2007 had completed part or all of their middle school education abroad, adding, "However, the reason and method behind why so many students attended middle school abroad has still not been clarified. He claimed this situation was identified within the TSK due to July 15."

Noting that there is no information regarding the restructuring of "FETÖ," Likoğlu asked, "We are inevitably forced to ask: Could the young lieutenants who have recently been chanting 'We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal' in the Military Academies while wearing an Ataturkist mask be disciples of FETÖ?"

Likoğlu's article has drawn significant backlash.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Some of the Military Academy students drew their swords after the official oath and, led by the top-ranking graduate of the class, chanted "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal!" before reciting the oath used prior to 2016.

DIVIDED THE PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE

The oath, which was initially characterized as a "pirate oath" by circles close to the government, divided the People's Alliance following statements from AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli.

Bahçeli reacted to the lieutenants who took the oath, stating, "What is the purpose of this oath, which is being autopsied in the media every day? Who or whom decided this? An oath other than the legal one should not be covered up or hidden behind the esteemed Atatürk."

Speaking after Bahçeli, AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik, contrary to Bahçeli, stood by the young lieutenants and accused the opposition of taking the issue out of context and engaging in "military tutelage."

"Our Turkish Armed Forces have produced their new graduates. These young people have been raised for the future of Turkey. Those who say 'they drew swords against the government' want to revive tutelage. It is unacceptable to insult lieutenants who have been raised for the future of the TSK."

MHP Deputy Chairman İsmail Özdemir also stood by the lieutenants, stating, "Our young lieutenants are loyal to the law, order, their superiors, and their commander-in-chief, and they are aware of their duties."

Reactions to Çelik's statement arose from within the AK Party.

Former AK Party deputy Mehmet Metiner stated, "I wish the perspective clearly put forward by Mr. Bahçeli regarding the illegal oath ceremony had been emphasized with more determination by our party's valuable spokesperson, Ömer Çelik."

The response to Metiner came from Presidential Chief Advisor Yiğit Bulut.

Quoting Ömer Çelik's statement and describing certain circles as "marginalized" and "dregs," Bulut said:

"Whatever Ömer Çelik says regarding the 'lieutenants' and the 'oath ceremony' is the truth! The efforts of the dregs and the marginalized to sow discord between the great Turkish nation and the Turkish Armed Forces are in vain! Let us be careful against the efforts of crypto-FETÖ members from any party to sow discord!"

Former AK Party MKYK member Mücahit Birinci, who joined the debate, reacted to Bulut, saying:

"If you generalize the correct views on this matter, which have been distilled through experience, with expressions like 'FETÖ remnants' or 'dregs,' you are reflecting one of two possibilities. Either you are a FETÖ remnant, or you are the dregs."

President and AKP Chairman Erdoğan, regarding the young lieutenants, asked, "Who are you drawing your swords at?" and stated that the lieutenants would receive the necessary punishment.