Newsletters
A diplomatic row has erupted following the visit of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani to the border district of Cizre in Türkiye, leading to a harsh exchange of words between Turkish officials and the Barzani administration.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has fully supported his coalition partner, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, condemning a statement from Barzani's office as a "grave error."
The tension sparked during Barzani's visit to the Cizre district of Sirnak on Nov. 29 to attend a symposium. Images of Barzani's bodyguards carrying long-barrel weapons drew a furious reaction from MHP leader Bahceli.
Bahceli described the scene as a "disgrace" and a violation of protocol, arguing that Barzani holds no official state title.
"Walking around with long-barreled weapons in our homeland by soldiers in foreign uniforms is, in a word, a disgrace," Bahceli said. "This is a deliberate assault on the dignity, prestige, and sovereign character of the Republic of Türkiye."
Following these remarks, the Ministry of Interior assigned two inspectors to investigate the security protocols.
Barzani's office responded with a statement claiming the security measures were based on a mutual agreement between Ankara and Erbil while launching a personal attack on Bahceli.
"We thought God had granted guidance to Devlet Bahceli and that he had given up racism and chauvinism," the spokesperson said. "However, it seems he is still the old Grey Wolf, only now in sheep's clothing."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry immediately labeled the response "disrespectful and provocative." Speaking on Wednesday, President Erdogan reinforced this stance.
"I would like to state here that we find yesterday's disrespectful statements targeting our alliance partner, Mr. Devlet Bahceli, unacceptable," Erdogan said.
"This grave error must be reversed and corrected as soon as possible."
The dispute triggered by Barzani's visit coincides with the ongoing "terror-free Türkiye" talks between the government and the terrorist organization PKK.
The process, which began with MHP leader Devlet Bahceli's call to PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan last year, recently saw the PKK announce that it has ended its armed activities in Türkiye.
While the organization is expected to dissolve itself, discussions are also underway regarding the SDF laying down arms in Syria and integrating into the newly established government.
2 min read
