MSB: “A total of 41 terrorists were neutralized, including in the northern regions of Iraq and Syria.”

The Ministry of National Defense announced that 41 terrorists have been neutralized, including in northern Iraq and Syria.

A weekly information meeting was held by the Ministry of National Defense. Speaking at the press conference organized at the ministry, Navy Admiral Zeki Aktürk, the Press and Public Relations Advisor of the Ministry of National Defense, began his remarks by condemning the terrorist attack targeting TUSAŞ facilities located in the Kahramankazan district of Ankara. Admiral Aktürk prayed for God’s mercy for the martyrs and wished for a speedy recovery for the injured. He stated that they would continue to fight against all threats, saying, “Our struggle against all threats and dangers directed at our existence and the safety of our people will continue with determination and resolution, and the terrorists will pay the price for targeting our people.”

“41 terrorists neutralized, including in northern Iraq and Syria”
Admiral Aktürk drew attention to the fact that the Turkish Armed Forces are conducting operations that are suitable for the necessities of the field—unusual, unpredictable, rapid, and continuous. He stated, “In the last week, 41 terrorists have been neutralized, including 14 during air operations carried out on October 18, 19, 20, and 21 in the Hakurk and Gara regions, bringing the total number of terrorists neutralized since January 1 to 2,235 (1,171 in Iraq/1,064 in Syria).”

“47 targets consisting of caves, shelters, depots, and facilities used by the terrorist organization have been successfully destroyed”
Regarding the air operations targeting terrorist nests in northern Iraq and Syria last night, Admiral Aktürk said: “With air operations conducted from last night until this morning against terrorist targets in northern Iraq and Syria, 47 targets consisting of caves, shelters, depots, and facilities used by the terrorist organization, which are believed to include responsible-level terrorists, have been successfully destroyed. In the air operations carried out, a significant amount of domestic and national ammunition was used, resulting in the neutralization of many terrorists. The assessment of the impact on the targets is ongoing, and our air operations will continue.”
Admiral Aktürk also announced that during search and scanning activities in the Hakurk operation area in northern Iraq, 10 Konkurs anti-tank missiles, 7 SA 7B air defense missiles, 2 mines, 6,000 anti-aircraft ammunition, and 1 piece of 120 mm mortar ammunition were seized from a cave belonging to the terrorists.

“For terrorists, the only way out is to surrender to Turkish justice”
This week, Aktürk announced that 2 PKK terrorists who escaped from the terrorist organization’s hideouts surrendered to the border posts in Akçakale and Yüksekova, saying, “For the terrorists, the only way out is to surrender to Turkish justice.” He continued his remarks: “Our Turkish Armed Forces will continue their fight against terrorism with determination until all terrorist dens are destroyed, and not a single terrorist remains, and until the blood-soaked terrorists disappear from this geography. On the other hand, our Ministry will continue its fight against FETÖ with the same sensitivity as it has done so far.”
Highlighting that the border line is protected at international standards with the most intense measures and a phased security system in the history of the Republic, Admiral Aktürk stated, “In the last week, 261 individuals, including 2 members of the terrorist organization, have been captured while attempting to cross illegally, and 1,568 individuals have been prevented. Thus, the number of individuals caught attempting to cross illegally from our borders since January 1 has reached 12,134, while the number of those prevented has risen to 83,875.”
Admiral Aktürk also reported that various quantities of OMTAS turreted armored anti-tank vehicles, MİLKED electronic monitoring systems, tunnel drilling machines, and modernized Sarp turreted improved armored personnel carriers have completed their inspection and acceptance activities for the Land Forces Command. He stated that recruitment and procurement activities for personnel and military students are continuing as planned, noting that applications for the “2024 Year Contracted/Active Duty Officer Recruitment for the Physician, Dentist, Pharmacist Class, and Special Qualified Physical Education Teacher Class” which started on October 17 will continue until November 3, and applications for “2024 Year Pilot Class Active Duty Officer Recruitment” for the Air Force Command will be made between October 25 and November 9.
Admiral Aktürk also spoke about the events to be held on the Republic Day:
“We already celebrate the 101st anniversary of our Republic, which announced to the whole world that the sovereignty belongs unconditionally to our heroic nation; we remember with gratitude and mercy all our martyrs, especially our Eternal Commander-in-Chief Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the heroes of the National Struggle, as well as our veterans who have passed away. As the Ministry of National Defense, we will celebrate the enthusiasm of October 29 Republic Day with many events together with our nation. In this context, there will be a ceremony at Anıtkabir on October 29, greetings at the Presidential Complex, a parade in Ankara, 29 visits to ports by our Naval Forces with 29 ships, and flight demonstrations by SOLOTÜRK in Istanbul and by Turkish Stars in Izmir, among many activities worthy of our century-old Republic. In addition, our military museums will be open to the public free of charge on October 29.