Brawl erupts in turkish parliament over syria military action
A brawl indeed erupted in the Turkish Parliament on October 2, 2019, over the country's military action in Syria. Here's a summary of the incident:
Background: Turkey had launched a military operation in northeastern Syria, dubbed "Operation Peace Spring," on October 9, 2019, aimed at driving out Kurdish-led forces from the region. The operation was widely criticized by the international community, including the United States, European Union, and NATO allies.
The Brawl: On October 2, 2019, a heated debate was underway in the Turkish Parliament regarding the military operation in Syria. The debate turned violent when opposition lawmakers, including those from the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Good Party (IYI), began shouting at and pushing government lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Clashes: The situation escalated when a CHP lawmaker, Enis Berberoğlu, was physically removed from the chamber by AKP lawmakers. Berberoğlu, a former minister, had been criticizing the government's handling of the Syrian operation. Other lawmakers joined the fray, with some throwing papers and objects at each other.
Injuries and Arrests: Several lawmakers were injured in the brawl, including CHP's Özgür Özel, who was reportedly hit in the head with a chair. At least 10 lawmakers were arrested, including some from the opposition parties.
Consequences: The brawl led to a temporary suspension of the parliamentary session. The incident was widely condemned by Turkish opposition parties, who accused the government of using violence to silence dissenting voices. The government, on the other hand, accused the opposition of being "unpatriotic" and "treasonous" for opposing the military operation.
International Reaction: The brawl was widely reported in international media, with many criticizing the Turkish government's handling of the situation. The United States, in particular, expressed concern over the violence in the Turkish Parliament, urging Turkish authorities to respect the rights of opposition lawmakers.
The incident highlighted the deep divisions within Turkish society and politics, as well as the country's increasingly authoritarian tendencies under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's rule.