Deniz Baykal has some harsh and controversial words for Shiites and Kurds — among others — regarding the Syrian city of Aleppo.
“Aleppo is a Sunni city. … Aleppo is a city where Sunni Islam has left its mark on every corner. We must seriously question the policy of leaving this city under Russian mandate to Assad’s army, to Shiite and [Syrian Alawite] forces,” Baykal said Feb. 15 during an interview on CNN Turk Channel. Baykal is the former chairman of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP).