Breaking: Ministry of National Defense issues statement on lieutenants facing dismissal from TSK

The Ministry of National Defense

held its weekly briefing.

MSB sources reported that the reasoned decision regarding the lieutenants, who face dismissal from the TSK for reciting the officer's oath and chanting the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" after the Military Academy Graduation Ceremony, will be completed today.In a statement made by MSB sources, it was noted: "We had previously announced that the High Disciplinary Board (YDK), which convened on January 16, would draft its reasoned decision and submit it for approval within 10 business days. We expect the reasoned decisions of the YDK in question to be completed and submitted for approval by the end of the workday today. The YDK decisions will be shared with the public as soon as possible following the approval process."

Speaking at the press conference held at the Ministry, Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Advisor and Ministry Spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk provided updates on the latest developments.

"57 TERRORISTS HAVE BEEN NEUTRALIZED IN THE LAST WEEK"

Stating that the fight against terrorist organizations PKK/PYD/YPG/SDG and DAESH is being carried out without interruption, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "57 terrorists have been neutralized in the last week. Thus, the number of terrorists neutralized this year has reached 278 (Iraq: 87 / Syria: 191)."

3 MORE PKK TERRORISTS SURRENDERED TO TURKISH JUSTICE

Furthermore, Rear Admiral Aktürk announced that 3 more PKK terrorists surrendered last week. Aktürk emphasized that "the only way out for terrorists is to surrender to Turkish justice." Reporting that a cave with numerous sections used by terrorists was discovered during the ongoing search and sweep operations in the Claw-Lock Operation region in northern Iraq, Rear Admiral Aktürk announced that various seized materials were rendered unusable.

Rear Admiral Aktürk once again wished God's mercy upon Engineering Staff Sergeant Ufuk Akıncı, who was martyred in the Claw-Tiger Operation region on January 23.

"95 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING 1 TERRORIST ORGANIZATION MEMBER, CAPTURED AT THE BORDER LINE"

Stating that security is established at the highest level with high security measures at the border line, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "In the last week, 95 individuals, including 1 member of a terrorist organization, who were trying to cross illegally, were captured, and 817 individuals were prevented before they could cross the border. Thus, the number of people captured while trying to cross our borders illegally since January 1 has reached 415, and the number of people prevented before crossing the border has reached 5,947."

Stating that they will continue to take preventive and destructive measures against all terrorist organizations, including PKK/PYD/YPG/SDG and DAESH, which threaten the administrative and geographical integrity of Syria, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "We state once again that we will not allow any terrorist formation or fait accompli in the region, and that we will continue our efforts to increase Syria's defense and security capacity and ensure the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Syrians in close cooperation with the new administration. In this context, a delegation from our Ministry visited Syria yesterday to hold technical talks. As Turkey, we will continue to stand by the Syrian people as we have done until now."

Within the framework of the meeting, the Turkish delegation led by Ministry of National Defense General Director of Defense and Security Major General İlkay Altındağ met with the delegations led by the New Syrian Administration's Minister of Defense Murhef Abu Kasra.

"HUMANITARIAN AID MUST BE DELIVERED TO GAZA WITHOUT INTERRUPTION"

Expressing their satisfaction with the extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon, Rear Admiral Aktürk continued his speech as follows:

"We expect Israel to fulfill its responsibilities within the scope of the ceasefire. Furthermore, all stages of the ceasefire reached between Hamas and Israel must be implemented, the people of Gaza must be ensured a comfortable and safe return to their homes, and humanitarian aid must be delivered to Gaza without interruption. As we emphasize at every opportunity, for regional stability, it is essential that the ceasefire becomes permanent and that a sovereign, independent Palestinian State with geographical integrity and East Jerusalem as its capital is established on the basis of the 1967 borders."

"OUR PİRİREİS SUBMARINE IS PARTICIPATING IN A NATO ACTIVITY FOR THE FIRST TIME"

Pointing out that the Turkish Armed Forces continue their training and exercise activities without interruption, simultaneously with all the operations and missions they are currently conducting, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "Participation in the NATO Sea Guardian Operation, where the tasks of Maritime Situational Awareness, Supporting the Fight Against Terrorism at Sea, and Contributing to Regional Security Capacity Building at Sea are carried out, is provided with the TCG SALİHREİS frigate, our TCG PİRİREİS submarine, and a maritime patrol aircraft. Our PİRİREİS submarine is participating in a NATO activity for the first time."

Emphasizing that defense industry products developed with domestic and national resources increase the capabilities and capacities of the TSK, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "In this context, the inspection and acceptance activities of a certain quantity of Sarp Turreted Improved Armored Personnel Carriers by our Land Forces Command have been completed."

Reminding that personnel and military student recruitment activities are continuing as planned, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "Late applications for the National Defense University Military Student Candidate Determination Exam will end today. The classification results for reserve officer/non-commissioned officer candidates and privates who will be conscripted in the February, March, and April 2025 periods, which were announced as of yesterday, can be learned via the e-Government portal, military branches, and the MSB Mobile application."

HIGH DISCIPLINARY BOARD DECISION REGARDING LIEUTENANTS

When asked about when the decision regarding the lieutenants and administrators referred to the High Disciplinary Board would be announced, Ministry of National Defense sources replied, "We had announced that the High Disciplinary Board, which convened on January 16, would draft its reasoned decision and submit it for approval within 10 business days. We expect the reasoned decisions of the YDK in question to be completed and submitted for approval by the end of the workday today. The YDK decisions will be shared with the public as soon as possible following the approval process."

DELEGATION THAT WENT TO SYRIA

Regarding questions about the Ministry of National Defense delegation that went to Syria, Ministry sources shared the following information:

"We had announced that after the state organs in Syria became functional, we would meet with our counterparts to establish cooperation on defense and security, and that we would provide the necessary support according to the roadmap to be prepared. The contact between our unit commanders serving in the Syrian field and the New Syrian Administration had been ongoing from the very beginning. Yesterday's visit is important in terms of being the first delegation and the first contact from our Ministry headquarters to Syria.

During yesterday's meeting, a mutual exchange of views was held on what can be done regarding defense and security issues, primarily the joint fight against terrorist organizations that pose a threat to both Syria and Turkey. Our talks will continue within the framework of the needs that will emerge in the coming period."

LATEST STATUS IN F-16 AND EUROFIGHTER PROCUREMENT

Regarding questions about the latest status of F-16 and Eurofighter procurement, Ministry sources noted the following:

"As we always say, our priority is to meet these needs with our domestic and national weapon systems. Until our weapon systems such as KAAN, HÜRJET, KIZILELMA, and ANKA-III are ready for use, our efforts regarding the purchase of F-16s and Eurofighters, which our Air Force needs, continue. In this context, the Requirement Definition Document prepared within the scope of the procurement of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft has been sent to the UK Ministry of Defense and the relevant company. We expect the price offer to reach us in the coming days. Our technical talks regarding the F-16 are also continuing positively."

News Source: 12punto