The bombing of Türkiye's Council of State left the public shaken and searching for answers about the country's direction. Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok called on citizens to move beyond a single-day reaction, urging that opposition to such violence become a sustained, nationwide stance.
Ozkok has drawn both praise and speculation for his measured approach. Some observers have suggested he harbors ambitions for the presidency, though he has stated he expects nothing once his term ends this August. Before the November 2005 Semdinli unrest, he had carefully avoided actions that could be read as political interference.
After the court attack, Ozkok held talks with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to reduce tensions surrounding Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit. Erdogan later criticized Ozkok's public remarks, linking them to mosque demonstrations against cabinet ministers. Columnist Derya Sazak questioned the wisdom of feuding with a military chief who has been among the government's strongest supporters.
Ozkok has framed the attack as a blow against secular democratic governance and has encouraged society to take ownership of the country's future rather than rely on the armed forces. Sazak argues that uncovering those responsible, and unifying the political left, are essential steps forward.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.