Turkish Defense Minister Highlights Turkish-Kurdish Brotherhood as Cornerstone of Regional Peace
Defense Minister Güler called Turkish-Kurdish Brotherhood "fundamental for regional peace" during a Hakkari visit, vowing economic gains post-disarmament while promoting tourism over conflict in the restive province.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler has underlined that Brotherhood between the Turkish and Kurdish peoples is a fundamental pillar for peace in the region, asserting that Türkiye’s liberation from what he described as a “major shackle” will allow the country to reach higher and stronger levels in fields ranging from production to economic development.
Speaking in Hakkari on Tuesday as part of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) “Century of Türkiye Meetings” program, Güler met with mayors and party members at the Hakkari Teachers’ Lodge, where he delivered remarks emphasizing national cohesion.
Güler stressed that the solidarity between Turks and Kurds forms the foundation of regional peace, and reiterated that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and all its affiliates must disarm. He said that removing the long-standing obstacle weighing on the country would allow Türkiye to channel more resources into serving its cities and citizens, thereby achieving significant economic and social gains.
“With this strong step toward a shared future, we will be able to devote more of our national resources to the service of our people. Once freed from this heavy shackle, Türkiye will reach a greater and more powerful level in every field, from production to development,” he stated.
The Defense Minister portrayed Hakkari as a province undergoing a transformation, noting that it is increasingly recognized not for “terrorists in its caves but tourists exploring them; not for the sound of bullets in its highlands but for the joy of festivals.” He pointed to signs of revival across agriculture, industry, and trade as part of the city’s evolving economic life.
Güler underscored the shared duty to safeguard Hakkari’s climate of peace and stability, saying: “Hakkari, one of the most precious parts of our sacred homeland entrusted to us by our ancestors, deserves not tears but smiles, not anxiety but hope, not the sound of gunfire but the sound of concerts.”
He concluded by affirming that the Ministry of National Defense is working in full coordination with relevant institutions to maintain security and ensure that the ongoing process advances swiftly and effectively.
