Hundreds of people gathered in Ankara on Wednesday, October 21, in a demonstration organized by the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) against the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, warning that the military pact could drag Turkey into Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen.
The agreement, signed on August 7 by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, is awaiting parliamentary ratification. Its provisions stipulate that an armed attack against one signatory would be considered an attack against all three countries.
The agreement, signed on August 7 by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, is awaiting parliamentary ratification. Its provisions stipulate that an armed attack against one signatory would be considered an attack against all three countries.
Addressing demonstrators at Sakarya Square, TKP Central Committee member Ali Ufuk Arikan denounced the agreement as serving the interests of US imperialism, Israel and Saudi Arabia rather than the Turkish people.
"You cannot kill this country's youth for Saudi oil," Arikan declared, rejecting any attempt to involve Turkish workers and young people in military operations against Yemen.
The TKP, which had previously addressed an open letter to members of parliament, called for the agreement's rejection and warned against sacrificing Turkish lives for foreign interests.
Calling the parliamentary vote a test of honor, Arikan urged lawmakers to declare that Turkey has not a single young person to sacrifice for occupiers and murderers.
"You cannot kill this country's youth for Saudi oil," Arikan declared, rejecting any attempt to involve Turkish workers and young people in military operations against Yemen.
The TKP, which had previously addressed an open letter to members of parliament, called for the agreement's rejection and warned against sacrificing Turkish lives for foreign interests.
Calling the parliamentary vote a test of honor, Arikan urged lawmakers to declare that Turkey has not a single young person to sacrifice for occupiers and murderers.
