Erdogan hit from home: "The Turkish army is not for rent"
The opposition in Turkey is coming out frontally against the "Mecca Agreement", warning against turning the army into a "military contractor" for Gulf states, accusing Erdogan of hiding the details of the agreement and demanding it be brought immediately for public discussion in parliament.
First voices of opposition in Ankara: the Turkish opposition is launching a sharp attack against what is called the "Mecca Agreement", and is warning against turning the military forces into a human shield for foreign interests. Murat Emir, deputy chairman of the parliamentary faction of the main opposition party in Turkey led by Ozgur Ozel, issued a firm statement against the agreement, the details of which are causing great concern in the local political system.
"We will not agree, in exchange for an influx of hot money, to turn Turkey into a military contractor for the Gulf states, and certainly we will not turn the Turkish army into a living shield in others' wars," attacked Emir.
According to him, the text that was passed far from the eyes of the Turkish parliament, under the name "Mecca Agreement", constitutes a blatant violation of the constitution and is nothing but "a trap laid at the threshold of our national security."
Emir emphasized that his party will not approve any arrangement that could drag Turkish soldiers into regional conflicts just to serve the interests of foreign countries. He clarified that the lives of the soldiers of the Turkish army and the sovereignty of the republic cannot be a bargaining chip in exchange for economic agreements or investments from the Gulf. In addition, he declared that the opposition will stand as a wall against any agreement signed in the dark, far from the parliament and the will of the people, and without public transparency. According to him, Turkey's foreign and security policy must be based on national interests alone.
According to the statements, Emir detailed a number of key criticisms towards the administration. First and foremost, he warned against the danger of being dragged into regional conflicts in exchange for funds and investments from Saudi Arabia, a step that he claims indicates a retreat in institutional judgment in the decision-making process. In the military context, he expressed firm opposition to imposing risks on Turkey in any possible confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and warned against a policy that could turn the Turkish army into a "gatekeeper for rent."
On the diplomatic level, Emir accused the Erdogan government that, contrary to its official statements, it is taking part in an international track intended to contain Iran. He leveled sharp criticism at what he called "leaders' diplomacy" and at an adventurous and non-transparent policy. In conclusion, Emir called to transfer the agreement immediately for a transparent discussion in the Grand National Assembly, to allow the citizens of Turkey to be exposed to its details and to demand accountability from the government.
