Kaya came under fire this week when he said security cameras captured images of individuals approaching the Şemdinli border unit, but that at the time they believed they were either shepherds or smugglers. “Seeing the images, we started to fire weapons into the area but received no response. We thought they were shepherds, villagers or smugglers,” he said.
The general had made similar controversial remarks last year after the death of seven soldiers in Çukurca due to a land mine blast on May 27. “It is not important at all. We are fighting at the cost of our lives. A few simple mistakes can be made,” he was quoted as saying in a voice recording. Kaya’s remarks sparked outrage, with many asking military courts to take action against the general for negligence in the conduct of his duty as a military officer.
The family members of the Çukurca soldiers are now blaming Gen. Kaya for the murder of nine soldiers by PKK terrorists last weekend. “Had the general been removed from his post at the time of the Çukurca blast, the nine soldiers in Şemdinli would not be dead now. We are witnessing the same incidents over and over. I cannot watch TV any more. I want this man to be removed from duty. I do not want him to receive a salary from the state. He did not deny the voice recording, but he is still at his post,” remarked Nail Çelik, the father of slain soldier Cafer Çelik.
Slain soldier Kemal Özevin’s father, Halil Özevin, said he was distressed to hear that nine soldiers were killed in Şemdinli. “Gürbüz Kaya, showing no shame, conducted an inspection with the prime minister and the military chief after the terrorist attack in the area. What can I say? If he had been removed from his position after the Çukurca scandal, the [Şemdinli] soldiers would be alive now,” he noted.
Shortly after the Çukurca mine blast, the Turkish military announced that the mine had been planted by the terrorist PKK. But further investigation later revealed that the mine belonged to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and had been planted at the order of Gen. Kaya.
“My son was killed, along with six of his friends. Later on many other soldiers were killed. Can you explain me what kind of a ‘simple mistake’ these killings are? Many youngsters have lost their lives due to such ‘simple mistakes.’ The sons of the poor people are killed. I cannot do anything. We keep burying our sons because of mistakes,” said İsmail Yıldız, father of slain Çukurca soldier Adil Yıldız.
