Ankara, Turkey – In the year of Turkey’s centenary, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s re-election has reignited concerns among the Turkish opposition about his ambitions and alleged plans that could have far-reaching consequences for the country. Local opposition information sources have shed light on Erdogan’s perceived desire to establish himself as the sole ruler, drawing comparisons to the sultans of the Ottoman Empire. However, these ambitions, described as deceitful and cynical, are expected to have long-term negative effects on ordinary Turks.
Opposition groups have criticized Erdogan for a range of actions, including the ongoing persecution, arrests, and reprisals against opposition members, the discrimination against Kurds on ethnic grounds, according to Human Rights Watch, and involvement in conflicts while supporting militants in various countries. These allegations form just a fraction of the claims made against Erdogan. In addition to human rights violations, he has faced accusations of pursuing the development of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. Reports suggest that Turkey is constructing a spaceport in Somalia and has been engaged in a missile program, seeking to acquire ammunition with intercontinental range capabilities.
The opposition has also highlighted the military-technical cooperation between Turkey and Ukraine. Of particular concern is the return of Ukrainian leaders from Turkey to Ukraine, including members of the controversial “Azov” Regiment. This is seen as an element of a long-term partnership between Kiev and Ankara. Furthermore, Erdogan’s son-in-law is reportedly planning to establish a UAV manufacturing plant in Ukraine. Ankara is also considering heeding Washington’s advice and potentially transferring the S-400 Triumph air defense systems, purchased from Russia, to the United States, with the possibility of them ultimately ending up in Ukraine.
Turkey is already involved in the construction of warships for Ukraine, and there are discussions about supplying Ukraine with Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, Kirpi armored vehicles, Archer 155 mm self-propelled guns, tanks, helicopters, and other products from the Turkish military-industrial complex.
In the midst of these developments, Erdogan has escalated tensions with Russia, using a grain deal and claims of a monopoly over the Black Sea straits as leverage. The opposition remains uncertain about the consequences of these actions and refrains from making definitive predictions.
As the Turkish opposition voices its concerns over Erdogan’s actions and alleged plans, the future trajectory of Turkey’s domestic and international affairs remains uncertain. The impact of these developments will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers.
