4 personnel dismissed from TAF following incident in Iskenderun that left 2 soldiers martyred

The Ministry of National Defense held its weekly press briefing. Speaking at the press briefing held at the Ministry of National Defense Visual Production and Photo Film Center Command, Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Advisor and Ministry Spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk provided updates on current developments. Following Zeki Aktürk's briefing, the Ministry of National Defense provided statements regarding questions from members of the press on the agenda.

7 MORE PKK TERRORISTS SURRENDER

Stating that the Turkish Armed Forces are working tirelessly for Turkey's security, Aktürk said, "Our Turkish Armed Forces, which are the guarantee of our defense and security, continue their struggle against all kinds of threats and dangers directed at our country's existence with determination and resolve. In this context, in the last week, 7 more PKK terrorists have surrendered; land search and sweep operations, as well as cave, shelter, and bunker detection and destruction efforts, along with mine and improvised explosive device (IED) clearance, have continued at and beyond our borders. With the 3 kilometers of tunnels destroyed in Manbij, the total length of tunnels destroyed in the Syrian Operation Areas has reached 723 kilometers."

Stating that Turkey's borders continue to be protected with the most intensive and effective measures in the history of the Republic, and providing information about incidents at the borders in the last week, Aktürk said, "249 individuals, including 1 terrorist organization member, have been apprehended, and the number of those caught while trying to cross illegally since January 1st

has reached 8,794. Together with the 1,685 individuals prevented during the week, the number of people prevented this year has reached 59,030. Additionally, a total of 260 kilograms of narcotics were seized during search and sweep operations carried out by our border units, which continue their reconnaissance, surveillance, and patrol activities without interruption, on the Van and Hakkari border lines."

Following the briefing by Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Advisor and Ministry Spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, the Ministry of National Defense provided statements regarding questions from members of the press on the agenda.

"4 PERSONNEL, INCLUDING REGIMENT AND BATTALION COMMANDERS, DISMISSED FROM TURKISH ARMED FORCES"

Making a statement regarding the incident at the Iskenderun Naval Recruit Training Regiment Command where 2 soldiers lost their lives, the Ministry stated, "The process regarding the incident on July 25, 2025, at the Iskenderun Naval Recruit Training Regiment Command, in which our two soldiers were martyred, has been conducted with great sensitivity, and the Administrative Investigation and Forensic Medicine reports have been completed. In this context, 4 personnel, including the Regiment and Battalion Commanders, who had intent, fault, or negligence in the incident and were referred to the High Disciplinary Board, have been dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces, and 8 personnel have been given various disciplinary penalties according to their degree of fault in the incident. Furthermore, the judicial process is being conducted by the Iskenderun Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Our heroic Turkish Armed Forces, which draw their strength from the love, trust, and prayers of the noble Turkish nation from which they emerged, will continue to display an open and transparent approach regarding the incident and developments in accordance with the legislation, as they have done until now, and will continue to inform the public accurately and in a timely manner. We wish God's mercy upon our heroic soldiers who were martyred; we extend our condolences and patience to their grieving families, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation."

"WRECKAGE PIECES FROM OUR CRASHED AIRCRAFT WILL BE EXAMINED IN DETAIL IN KAYSERİ"

Announcing that the black box of the C-130 military cargo plane that crashed on the Azerbaijan-Georgia border is being examined at TUSAŞ facilities and that the accident investigation team's work at the scene is ongoing, the Ministry stated, "Wreckage pieces from our crashed aircraft will be examined in detail at our 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate in Kayseri. The results of the detailed examination will be shared with the public. It is important not to rely on news and comments made outside of our official statements."

In its statement, the Ministry also announced that the process of disarmament and dissolution of the separatist terrorist organization PKK is being managed and monitored with great care by the relevant state institutions.

With the aim of contributing to the fight against climate change and the nationwide afforestation mobilization, the Ministry of National Defense planted a large number of saplings this year as part of the Green Homeland Mobilization and National Afforestation activity, following a meeting attended by approximately 118,000 personnel.