Turkish opposition castigates evacuation of tomb in northern Syria

C?HAN Photo

Turkish opposition parties have harshly reacted to the evacuation of the Tomb of Süleyman ?ah in northern Syria, accusing the government of abandoning the country's only territory outside its borders.

"We are losing our lands without fighting for the first time in the 90-year history of the republic; this is not acceptable," main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Secretary General Gürsel Tekin said during a press conference in Ankara on Feb. 22.

Turkey evacuated its military personnel protecting the tomb, as well as the artifacts in the mausoleum in an operation jointly conducted by the intelligence organization and the Turkish army.

The operation came a few days after reports suggested that Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihadists had besieged the tomb and that Turkish soldiers protecting the enclave had been trapped by the militants.

The CHP lawmaker recalled that he had invited government officials to visit the tomb together two days ago after the siege reports, but "they said then there is no problem."

"Unfortunately, Turkey is facing a distressing situation," he said.

Tekin also expressed his sorrow over the death of soldier Halit Avc? in a traffic accident during the early hours of the operation, saying, "God rest his soul."

"The ones who ordered the flight from Süleyman ?ah will also flee this country tomorrow, but I will ask for payback for all the embarrassments you have caused Turkey," main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) chair Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu said in a post on his Twitter account.

"The government that bowed before terrorists and sold the homeland's soil has showed that its first job will be running away from other threats that will be faced tomorrow...

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