Turkish opposition leaders release new year's messages

By Ayse Humeyra Atilgan

ANKARA

Turkey's opposition leaders have said they hope the country will see peace in 2017 by drawing inspiration from its history.

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) head Devlet Bahceli released New Year’s messages on Saturday.

Both leaders greeted citizens and hoped for "peace and tranquility" in 2017 for Turkey, the region and the world.

Kilicdaroglu said: "A new journey starts which will take us to a peaceful and happy future because we have a history which has shown us that all impossible things are indeed possible, and that dreams come true in the end."

He said Turkey would have a first-class democracy and would "fight together for law, freedom and equality".

In his message, the MHP’s Bahceli said: "2017 should be the year when Turkey wakes up and gathers strength."

Recalling last year which he said was full of "disasters and calamities," the MHP leader said "bloody attacks of terrorism” had marred the last 12 months.

However, he added that last year also saw a "spirit of national unity and solidarity" against terrorists and coup plotters.

"Nobody should forget that the Turkish nation is not weak and helpless. Our honored people know how to arise from the most desperate moments of history with feelings of national unity and solidarity.

"The wishes of those who look forward to our defeat will come to nothing," he added.

Turkey has been hit by numerous terror attacks across the country over the last year, carried out variously by the PKK/PYD, Daesh and the DHKP-C. Numerous attacks have left many civilians and soldiers martyred.

On July 15, the country also saw a deadly coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization which left 248 people martyred and nearly 2,200 wounded.