President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has removed a senior education official following two deadly school shootings that shocked the nation and triggered widespread outrage.
The decision came after attacks in different regions left nine people dead, including students and a teacher, raising fresh concerns about school safety and gun control in Turkey.
Two Attacks Leave Nine Dead
The deadliest incident occurred in Kahramanmaras, where a 14-year-old student opened fire inside a school, killing eight children aged between 10 and 11, along with a teacher.
Authorities said the attacker arrived with multiple firearms. He died at the scene, while police later arrested his father, a former police inspector, as part of the investigation.
In a separate incident in Sanliurfa, a former student attacked his old high school before taking his own life when confronted by security forces.
Erdogan Moves Swiftly
Following the incidents, Erdogan signed a decree dismissing Deputy Education Minister Nazif Yilmaz and appointing Cihad Demirli as his replacement.
The reshuffle also affected leadership within key state education institutions, signalling a broader government response to the crisis.
Public Outrage and Policy Shift
The shootings have sparked anger across the country, with many citizens demanding urgent reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
Erdogan has pledged to tighten gun ownership regulations and strengthen school security measures to protect students and staff.
What Happens Next
The government now faces pressure to deliver concrete action beyond leadership changes.
For official updates on government policies and reforms, visit Republic of Turkey Directorate of Communications
As investigations continue, authorities aim to address both the immediate security gaps and the broader issues that allowed the attacks to occur.
