Opposition condemns deadly Istanbul terror attack

Turkey’s opposition parties have condemned the deadly terror attack in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district that claimed the lives of at least 41 people late on Dec. 10. 

Noting that the attack targeted the Turkish police, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said he laments the police and civilians who died and condemns the “dark powers behind the attack,” which hit outside the Beşiktaş football club stadium in the Dolmabahçe neighborhood.
“I also express my condolences to Beşiktaş Sports Club,” Kılıçdaroğlu added.

He also criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) counter-terrorism policies. 

“The government should accept as soon as possible that our county needs an anti-terror policy that is rational, scientific, sustainable and national,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, vowing that his party is ready to give all necessary support in the struggle against terror. 

“I stress once again that as the CHP we are ready to give all kinds of support in the fight against terror,” he added. 

Earlier, Kılıçdaroğlu had received information regarding the attack from Selami Altınok, the chief of the Turkish police. 

The CHP’s Central Executive Board (MYK), meanwhile, will hold an extraordinary meeting on Dec. 12.

The Kurdish issue-focused Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) also expressed its condolences after the attack. 

“Many of people are left suffering after the bombings. We condemn the attack in the strongest terms possible. We feel sadness and share the pain,” a statement released by the party read. 

“Everyone should do what they have to do in order for these pains to cease,” it added. 

 “Turkey should become an exemplary country in terms of peace, democracy and human rights in domestic and foreign politics … The policies, language and tone that produce intense polarization, enmity and clashes should be ended immediately. Such a step would help stop these kinds of events,” the HDP statement also read. 

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) head Devlet Bahçeli described terrorism as a “crime against humanity” and said “traitors have appeared on the stage once again.”

“It should never be forgotten that terrorism will never reach its aims and the ones inside and outside the country who plan to divide and scatter Turkey will themselves be destroyed,” Bahçeli’s statement read.

“The Republic of Turkey has the power to crush any disgusting and vile operation against it,” it also added.