Representatives of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges, professional and civil society organisations in Istanbul made a joint press statement at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) to demonstrate their reaction to the attack by the regime forces on Turkish soldiers in Idlib, Syria.

The joint statement, which was signed by professional and civil society organisations including IKV and IKV’s founders and trustees such as the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), ICOC, Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ICI) and Istanbul Commodity Exchange (ISTIB), was read by ICOC President Şekib Avdagiç. ICOC President Avdagiç made the following remarks: "As professional and civil society organisations representing all segments of the Turkish society, we have united under our flag. We stand by our state and our heroic army, which are determinedly fighting against the murderous regime. We stand behind every decision and every step to be taken, with all our strength.”

The joint statement, while denouncing the heinous and vicious attack perpetrated by the Syrian regime forces on Turkish soldiers, expressed Turkish business community’s full unity and solidarity with the state and the heroic Turkish Armed Forces fighting against regime forces in Syria. The statement indicated that the world remained silent to the persecution in Syria and the atrocities committed against hundreds of thousands of civilians, the deportation of millions of people from their homes while stating that Turkey's peace and security-oriented efforts did not get a response in many countries. It was stated that it was Turkey’s historical, humanitarian and conscientious responsibility to protect the right to life of Syrian brothers and sisters fleeing from the regime's persecution. It was also reminded that the protection of its borders and the prevention of the formation of terrorist structures on its borders was Turkey’s most natural right. The statement sent a strong message of unity and support to every decision and step to be taken in this regard.

The joint statement was signed by TOBB, IKV, ICOC, ICI, ISTIB, Istanbul and Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, Black Sea Regions Chamber of Shipping (İMEAK DTO), Association of Anatolian Businessmen (ASKON), HAK-IS Trade Union Confederation, Confederation of Public Servants Trade Unions (MEMUR-SEN), Istanbul Union of the Chambers of Artists and Artisans (İSTESOB), Young Businessmen Association of Turkey (TÜGİAD), Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ), Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), TOBB Young Entrepreneurs Council, TOBB Women Entrepreneurs Council, Turkish Public Employers' Union Confederation (KAMU-SEN), Notaries Union of Turkey, The Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants Turkey (TÜRMOB), All Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TÜMSİAD) and Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).