Main opposition CHP voices support for closing İncirlik, Kürecik air bases

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Dec. 16 voiced support for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's remarks on a possible shutdown of Kürecik and İncirlik air bases yet slammed the government for "waiting" to close the bases.

"We are tired of repeating this for nine years. They established a U.S. base in the middle of Anatolia and say, 'We will close this' every time the U.S. makes a decision. Does Turkey need to be attacked [for the bases] to be closed?" CHP Deputy Chair Veli Ağbaba said in a written statement.

Ağbaba also said that government authorities "play the İncirlik and Kürecik" cards every time the U.S. "corners" Turkey, yet no action has been taken yet.

The İncirlik and Kürecik air bases are such important issues that should not be "used as a tool" for domestic politics, Ağbaba said. He also urged the government to "give up on this approach and immediately close the bases poses a threat to Turkey."

Ağbaba, also a deputy for the eastern Malatya province, has been a vocal opponent of the Kürecik air base in Malatya. In his statement, he said that Kürecik is actually a U.S. base "disguised" as a NATO one.

İncirlik airbase in southern Adana province has been a main base for U.S. operations in the Middle East and while Kürecik, in Malatya, is a key NATO base.

"If you are going to make a decision about the Kürecik base if the U.S. imposes sanctions against Turkey, why do you wait if you are sincere?" Ağbaba said.

"Close the base where even lawmakers are not allowed to go inside," he added.

Erdoğan on Dec. 15 said that Ankara may close the two bases where U.S. soldiers are stationed "if necessary."

"If necessary, we will hold discussions with all our...