Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun shared the voluntary military service and support messages received by the Presidency’s Communication Centre (CIMER) with regard to the Operation Spring Shield.
Altun shared the following post on his Twitter account: "Operations Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, Peace Spring and Spring Shield... Every one of them is an operation through which our gallant army challenges evil forces for our unity and peace! Our army is on the ground! The noble Turkish nation is the greatest power standing behind it! May God make our unity and peace permanent!”
Altun shared the voluntary military service applications made to CIMER by citizens in order to join the Operation Peace Shield and also their support messages, adding that some were willing to fight at the front, and some were willing to clean the soldiers’ boots and cook for them. Some of the mentioned messages are as follows:
“Dear President… I want to serve voluntarily in the army in Idlib to fight. I don’t want any money or salary from you. It would be sufficient, if you take care of my wife and visit my mother and father. God willing, I also want to drink the elixir of martyrdom. Please do not deny it to me. Kindly submitted.”
“For God’s sake, enroll me. It makes my blood boil that my brothers are martyred there, while I stay here. Send me to Idlib; I want to go there voluntarily. Let me only serve my country.”
“We are going through difficult times. If I can and if considered appropriate, I will become a voluntary shield to protect my soldier. I'll die for the sake of saving them from harm. You have my address information. I will be at your door, once you ask me to ‘come’.”
"We want to serve in the army voluntarily, without a penny. We want an application channel to be opened and our applications to be evaluated. The martyrs did their part; it is our turn now. "
Touching message from a veteran
Support messages included the following touching words of a veteran:
"Distinguished President, I am a retired gendarmerie non-commissioned officer, who became a veteran after being wounded in the fight against terrorism. Enviously and proudly, I am following the valour of our gallant army, of which I have always been proud to be a member, in Syria and during the Spring Shield operation conducted lately, and I feel sad that I am not with them. Mr. President, thank God I am in good health and although I cannot run fast due to my wound, I can walk.
My country raised me for hard times like these. I took a commando course; I took internal security operation course. I raised commandos again and again. I served in the fight against terrorism with the soldiers I raised. Now, if you give orders, I want to serve for my country and my nation voluntarily in the Operation Spring Shield. It offends me and makes my blood boil to stay at home when our gallant soldiers fall martyrs there. I am waiting for your orders, and I thank God that you are our President during such hard times. May God help you."
The messages Altun shared also included the following:
"I want to volunteer for the Operation Spring Shield launched by our country. I want to be voluntarily enlisted for any part of the world, where our country needs soldiers. I am ready to die for my country and serve for our soldiers."
"I want to take voluntary part in the cross border operations. Please do not begrudge me martyrdom, for God’s sake. I am waiting for an order from my state with tears in my eyes."
"I want to serve voluntarily in the army. I pray for God to give strength to our soldiers. I have no relatives and I was raised by the state. Now I want to pay my debt to the state. How happy is the one who says I am a Turk."
"My only wish from my President is the enactment of a law that would allow women to serve voluntarily in the army. While our homeland is going through such dire times, it is a burden for us to sit comfortably in our homes, eat and sleep. Even if we cannot bear arms, we can cook for our soldiers and wash their socks. I want this genuine wish of mine to be taken into account, so that I can at least sleep with peace of mind."
"I want to serve voluntarily in the army in the border region of Syria. We have worn our shrouds and we are waiting. Even if I cannot do anything else, I can clean my commanders’ bags, equipment and boots. Nobody can hold us down as long as we, the people and the state, join forces."
"I am ready to fight until the last drop of my blood to preserve the indivisible integrity of my state and country, to ensure that the Adhan and Qur’an continue resounding, and to keep our flag waving. May God always protect our state. I am a woman but if need be, I will bear arms, I will cook and I will carry supplies."