Is 'Iran-phobia' spreading in Turkey?
The former leader of Turkey's main opposition party raises hackles with what his critics say is sectarian rhetoric.
Deniz Baykal has some harsh and controversial words for Shiites and Kurds — among others — regarding the Syrian city of Aleppo.
“Aleppo is a Sunni city. … Aleppo is a city where Sunni Islam has left its mark on every corner. We must seriously question the policy of leaving this city under Russian mandate to Assad’s army, to Shiite and [Syrian Alawite] forces,” Baykal said Feb. 15 during an interview on CNN Turk Channel. Baykal is the former chairman of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP).
He also expressed his support for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) bombing of Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) forces to keep the Aleppo-Azaz line secure, arguing that Turkey cannot sit idle.
Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, several Islamist groups and pro-AKP media have proclaimed the CHP to be a tool and collaborator of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. No wonder a statement like this coming from Baykal sent chills down the spines of secular Turks, while generating jubilation among AKP supporters and jihadi groups in Turkey.
