Ministry of National Defense: “In the last week, 38 terrorists have been neutralized.”

The Ministry of National Defense announced that 64 terrorists were neutralized in the last week.

A press briefing was held by the Ministry of National Defense. Speaking at the press conference held at the ministry, the Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Advisor Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk recalled the victories gained in August, stating, “In our glorious history, this month is known as the ‘month of victories’ during which exceptional successes were achieved. We already celebrate the 953rd anniversary of the Victory of Malazgirt, the 103rd anniversary of the Sakarya Battle, which symbolizes our transition from defense to offense, the longest battlefield in military history, and the 102nd anniversary of the Great Offensive. We remember our glorious ancestors, especially Sultan Alp Arslan, who opened the doors of Anatolia to our nation with these great victories, and our eternal Commander-in-Chief Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with mercy, gratitude, and respect.”

Rear Admiral Aktürk pointed out that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) continues its fight against all kinds of threats and dangers with increasing pressure, saying, “As a result of our uninterrupted operations, 38 terrorists have been neutralized in the last week. Thus, the number of terrorists neutralized since January 1 has reached 1,763, including 868 in Iraq and 895 in northern Syria. We once again pray for God’s mercy on Infantry Specialist Corporal Muhammed Emin Önk, who was injured in the Pençe-Kilit Operation area and martyred on August 20 while undergoing treatment at GATA.”

Aktürk emphasized that comprehensive security is being ensured at the border with intense and dynamic measures, stating, “In the last week, 337 individuals, including 8 members of terrorist organizations, have been captured, and the number of those caught while attempting to cross illegally has reached 8,673 since January 1. With the 1,381 individuals prevented in the last week, the total number of people prevented this year has reached 70,712.”

He expressed that the TSK continues its international operations and missions, as well as training and advisory activities in friendly and allied countries, stating, “On August 15, our Minister, who participated in the fourth ‘High-Level Security Mechanism’ meeting between our country and Iraq held in Ankara, signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Military, Security Cooperation, and Counter-Terrorism’ with the Iraqi Minister of Defense. With this agreement, intelligence and information sharing, military strategic planning will take place in the ‘Joint Security Coordination Center’ to be established in Baghdad, where Turkish and Iraqi personnel will work together, and coordination will be ensured among our elements in the field to act in harmony against terrorist organizations that pose a threat to both countries. Additionally, this agreement plans to provide military training and experience sharing to increase the capacity of Iraqi security forces’ personnel in counter-terrorism and security issues at the ‘Joint Training and Cooperation Center’ to be established in Başika. In the ultimate phase, terrorism, which poses a threat to the people of both countries, will be eliminated as a problem in the region.”

Aktürk conveyed that the rising death toll in Palestine since October 7 remains a serious concern, stating that international actors need to show decisive determination in the face of these attacks, which are severe violations of international law and humanitarian law.

“Support was provided in the fight against forest fires with 1,079 sorties using 62 helicopters”

Aktürk stated that the TSK supports humanitarian aid activities and the fight against disasters, especially forest fires, saying, “From the beginning of this year until August 14, our Turkish Armed Forces supported the fight against forest fires with 1,079 sorties using 62 helicopters. Between August 15-19, in response to forest fires that occurred in many parts of our country, we provided support with 24 helicopters, conducting 1,639 sorties and dropping 3,057 tons of water. Additionally, 7 helicopters from the Turkish Armed Forces were assigned to assist in the firefighting efforts for the forest fires that broke out yesterday in Afyon, Izmir, and Ankara, carrying out 116 sorties and dropping 286 tons of water. As of this morning, 2 Chinook helicopters are intervening in the fire in Kızılcahamam.”

Rear Admiral Aktürk mentioned that the capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces have been further enhanced with locally and nationally developed strategic and technological products in every field of defense industry, using the following expressions: “The inspection and acceptance activities of various quantities of modern infantry rifles (MPT-76 MH) have been completed by our Land Forces Command. Additionally, a contract has been signed between ASFAT, which is affiliated with our Ministry, and the General Directorate of Forestry for mobile units to meet the basic vital needs such as accommodation, nutrition, health, and hygiene of personnel and local people in emergency situations and natural disaster management.”