«The children of this nation will heal these wounds»

Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, together with Chief of General Staff General Yaşar Güler, continues his activities in Hatay, which was affected by the earthquakes on 6 February.

Akar, who met with the opinion leaders of the city at the 8th Brigade Command for iftar, stated that it is their most sincere wish for everyone to lead their lives in freedom of belief according to their religion and ethnicity.

Emphasizing the importance of citizens to worship freely, Akar said, «It is a great source of happiness and pride for us that this life is maintained peacefully in Hatay, in this world where everyone is in conflict with each other, and that everyone lives together in love and respect.» he said.

Emphasizing the importance of the culture of living together in love, respect and tolerance, Akar expressed the necessity of living in friendship, fellowship, brotherhood, trust and solidarity.

Akar conveyed his condolences to those who lost their lives in the 6 February earthquakes and wishes for healing to the injured, and said:

«Our state rushed to its citizens from the very first moment. At the same time, 85 million of our citizens rushed to their state. An important example of state and nation cooperation was presented clearly and distinctly. First of all, our President, all our ministers, governors, all institutions and organizations from the first day. «At the beginning of his duty, Mehmetçik also mobilized with all his means from the very first moment, rushing to his nation’s side and aid. Some sedition and mischief nests tried to come up with various things about it. None of this reflects the truth. Although we have said this many times, some insist on not seeing it.»

«Our unity, our togetherness is eternal»

Explaining that the state as a whole continues its activities in the earthquake zones, Akar said, «There is no discrimination in doing so. The same sedition groups said this: ‘There was no help there because of that.’ There is never such a thing. Our friends here are living witnesses of this.» he said.

Drawing attention to the point reached after the earthquakes, Akar said, «Hopefully, we will heal all the wounds by working hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, and relying on each other. These wounds will be healed by the children of this nation, and no one else will. Our friendship, brotherhood, unity and solidarity are eternal.» said.

Stating that there is no room for pessimism in any way, Akar said, «There is no room for pessimism, there is no heeding to sedition. Nobody is alone. Our state and our nation are together with our citizens here.» used the phrase.

Emphasizing that, in addition to the fight against earthquakes, the Mehmetçik continues to fulfill all their duties, from counter-terrorism to border security, Akar said:

«The defense and security of 85 million people is very important to us. As our President said, one nation, one flag, one homeland, one state. This flag is the flag of 85 million people, Ankara is our capital, the rest is details. Everyone is free to live their own thoughts and beliefs. We are doing our best to ensure that our togetherness is permanent. We have national, spiritual and professional values ​​that have been filtered through our thousands of years of history. With the inspiration we get from these values, there is no difficulty that we cannot overcome as long as there is the love, trust and prayer of our noble nation.»

«Together we will succeed»

Pointing out that opinion leaders have more duties than ever before in this period when everyone is upset in earthquake zones, Akar said, «We need to work harder than ever to strengthen our unity, our solidarity, and the morale and motivation of individuals.» he said.

Stating that the works for the normalization of life are continuing rapidly, and the foundations of permanent residences, workplaces and hospitals have been laid, Akar said, «The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, with a special effort, aim to solve these problems, to solve these problems for historical and religious buildings damaged in the earthquake. After this destruction caused by the earthquake, Hatay on February 5 is what it is, a great effort for the emergence of a much more advanced Hatay by using modern technology and all the possibilities and abilities of the Republic of Turkey. I hope we will achieve this together.» said.

Minister Akar also described the governors who attended the iftar and coordinated the works in the earthquake zones as «unnamed heroes» and congratulated them for their self-sacrificing work. After the fast-breaking prayer, Minister Akar took a close interest in all the guests.

On the other hand, Minister Akar met with the earthquake victims in Belen district before the iftar and listened to their demands, and examined the tent city of 2,400 people, which is about to be established with the coordination of AFAD, the Ministry of National Defense and NATO cooperation in the Otençay District near the Organized Industrial Zone in Antakya. .