Istanbul, January 23, 2026 – Taxi drivers in Istanbul organized a convoy in Şişli to protest the desecration of the Turkish flag by terrorist sympathizers in the Nusaybin-Kamışlı border region. The demonstration, which included hundreds of taxis, aimed to condemn the attack and emphasize national unity.
Taxi Drivers Condemn Attack on National Symbol
Members of the Istanbul Taxi Drivers’ Association gathered on Büyükdere Street in Şişli to protest the recent attack on the Turkish flag by terrorist sympathizers along the Nusaybin-Kamışlı border. The drivers recited the Turkish National Anthem and issued a press statement condemning the incident.
Deniz Dündar, President of the Istanbul Taxi Drivers’ Association, stated, “We strongly condemn the heinous attack on our glorious Turkish flag, which is the common value of our beloved nation and the symbol of our independence and unity. The Turkish flag is the trust of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for these lands. Any hand extended towards it is an affront to our nation’s honor, history, and sovereignty.”
Convoy Demonstrates National Solidarity
Following the press statement, a convoy of hundreds of taxis, all adorned with Turkish flags, began to move. The convoy traversed a route that included Barbaros Boulevard, Beşiktaş Square, Kabataş, Fındıklı, Karaköy, and Tarlabaşı Boulevard, concluding at Taksim Tunnel.
Dündar emphasized that such attempts would not undermine the unity and solidarity of the society. “As the Istanbul taxi community, we have not remained silent, and we will not remain silent, against this vile attack on our crescent and star flag. Today, we have come together with hundreds of vehicles to demonstrate our loyalty to our flag and our determination to uphold our national values,” he added.
Call for Legal Action and National Unity
Dündar also called upon the authorities to take swift action. “Everyone living in these lands should know that the Turkish flag is our honor. We will continue to stand firm against any insult and disrespect directed towards it. We call on the authorized institutions to meticulously carry out the necessary legal process against those who carried out this attack, and we urge our nation to act with common sense and unity,” he concluded.
The protest highlighted the strong public sentiment regarding national symbols and the collective desire for peace and unity in the face of provocations.
