Breaking News: Statement from the Ministry of National Defense regarding the disciplinary process for lieutenants!

The weekly briefing meeting was held by the Ministry of National Defense.

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

WHEN WILL THE DECISION REGARDING THE LIEUTENANTS BE ANNOUNCED?

Ministry sources stated regarding the lieutenants who chanted the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" while crossing swords at the graduation ceremony and for whom dismissal has been requested: "The High Disciplinary Board will convene on January 16 to evaluate the situation of the lieutenants. Currently, the defenses of the lieutenants are being taken. January 16 is the day the High Disciplinary Board will evaluate all data. If a decision is reached on January 16, it is expected to be shared with the public following the preparation of a 'reasoned decision'."

Stating that Syria's territorial integrity and unitary structure must be preserved, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "We reiterate that we support the call for a single army and the efforts of the new administration in Syria, that we desire to work jointly with the Syrian administration on counter-terrorism, and that there is no place for any terrorist entity, including DAESH, PKK/YPG and their affiliates, in the future of Syria and our region, and we will not allow them. Our efforts to ensure the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Syrians will continue, and we will continue to stand by the Syrian people as we have done until today."

Reporting that operations carried out domestically and across the border are continuing with determination, Rear Admiral Aktürk stated, "In the last week, 72 harassment and attack attempts have been made against our units, 17 of which were in the Iraq operational areas and 55 in the Syria operational areas. With the immediate and proportional response given to these harassments and attacks that also harm civilians in the region, and with the ongoing operations, 62 terrorists have been neutralized in the last week, including in northern Iraq and Syria. Thus, the number of terrorists neutralized within the year has reached 3,021 (1,464 in Iraq / 1,557 in Syria)."

Furthermore, Rear Admiral Aktürk announced that 2 PKK terrorists surrendered to a border outpost last week and that a large number of weapons, ammunition, and living supplies were seized in a cave discovered during search and sweep activities in northern Iraq.

Reminding that effective and modern technology-based measures have been taken along the border line, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "In the last week, 85 individuals, including 8 members of a terrorist organization, have been apprehended, and the number of those caught while trying to cross our borders illegally since January 1 has reached 13,830. Together with the 527 individuals prevented in the last week, the number of people prevented this year has reached 95,340."

Furthermore, Rear Admiral Aktürk announced that Chief of General Staff Metin Gürak will meet with the Chief of General Staff of Saudi Arabia today.

Speaking on Israel's attacks, Rear Admiral Aktürk continued his remarks as follows:

“We reiterate that Israel must end its intervention in Syria at a time when the country is trying to overcome the devastating effects of a civil war that has lasted more than 13 years, fully comply with the ceasefire agreement signed with Lebanon, and accept a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible. The Palestinian people, who have been living under intense bombardment for more than a year, are now facing the risk of hunger and infectious diseases. The international community must no longer ignore what is happening. We express once again that peace and stability must prevail in our region and that the suffering of the Palestinian people must come to an end.”

Pointing out that the capabilities and capacities of the Turkish Armed Forces are increasing day by day with domestic and national defense industry products, Rear Admiral Aktürk stated, “Various quantities of the New Generation Fırtına Howitzer have been added to the inventory by our Land Forces Command, and the inspection and acceptance activities for the 122 mm Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) Launch Vehicle, the 40 mm Drum Grenade Launcher, and the Backpack-Type Jamming System have been completed.”

Rear Admiral Aktürk continued his speech as follows:

“The Memorandum of Understanding regarding the ‘Jet Trainer Aircraft Project’ with our NATO ally Spain was signed between our Presidency of Defense Industries and the Spanish Ministry of Defense

on December 20. We congratulate our Presidency of Defense Industries and everyone who contributed to this historic agreement once again.”

Stating that personnel and military student recruitment activities are continuing as planned, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, “Applications for the ‘Recruitment of Workers from Among Disabled Individuals and Those Injured in a Way Not Considered Disabled in the Fight Against Terrorism to be Employed at the Ministry of National Defense in 2024,’ which began on December 23, will end tomorrow. As part of the personnel recruitment for the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, Force Commands, and the National Defense University, applications for ‘Contracted Personnel Recruitment,’ which began on November 28, will continue until December 28, and applications for ‘Civil Servant Recruitment,’ which began on December 20, will continue until January 20, 2025. Applications for the National Defense University Military Student Candidate Determination Exam (2025-MSÜ) can be made between January 2 and January 27, 2025. Within the scope of the Regional Career Fairs organized by the Presidential Human Resources Office, we met with our youth in Adana on December 23-24. In this context, we are also participating in the fair in Şanlıurfa today and tomorrow. As the Ministry of National Defense, we will participate in the Regional Career Fairs to be held in Çanakkale, Konya, Antalya, and Manisa in February; and in Van, Samsun, Erzurum, Giresun, Malatya, and Kocaeli in April, where we will explain our Ministry's recruitment activities.”

Rear Admiral Aktürk, in his New Year's message, stated, "We extend our sincerest wishes for the New Year to our nation, with the hope that 2025 will bring health, success, and happiness to our country and our people, and more peace, tranquility, and stability to our region and the world."

THE ROLE OF THE TSK IN SYRIA'S NEW ERA

Ministry of National Defense sources responded to questions regarding what the role of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will be in supporting Syria's defense and security in the new era as follows:

"We are following and supporting the efforts of the new administration in our neighbor Syria to make state institutions functional. In line with the directives of our President, initiatives will be taken with our counterparts to establish strategic relations and cooperation in various fields between the two countries. In this context, cooperation in the field of defense is of critical importance not only for reinforcing our security but also for establishing regional peace and tranquility. The TSK will continue to stand by the Syrian people and provide support in matters within its purview during this transition process. Our preparations are ongoing under the coordination of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the state institutions in Syria become functional, we will act according to the roadmap to be prepared through mutual discussions with our counterparts."

THE LATEST SITUATION IN SYRIA

Ministry of National Defense sources, in response to questions about the latest situation in Syria, stated, "A new era has begun in Syria. Syria now belongs to the Syrians. As we have done until today, we will continue to stand by the Syrian people from now on as well. In this context, without compromising on the fight against terrorism, we will be in close cooperation and coordination with the new administration to ensure Syria's territorial integrity, political unity, security, and stability. The control of Manbij and the Tishrin Dam is entirely with the Syrian National Army. Since the terrorist organization is in its death throes, it is attempting to create a perception in the public eye through deliberate disinformation. Claims by the terrorist organization that progress has been made in these regions have no relation to the reality on the ground."

It is necessary not to believe the lies of the terrorist organization, which is trying to portray itself in a good position. The PKK/YPG terrorist organization will either lay down its arms or be destroyed. Those within the terrorist organization who are not Syrian citizens will leave Syria. As for those who are Syrian citizens, they will lay down their arms, and whether they will be integrated into the new system and how that will be done will be determined by the Syrian administration. Through our statements and the meetings held with the new Syrian administration, we are conveying that the terrorist organization has no choice but to lay down its arms and that our determination on this matter is full and absolute. We observe that we are in consensus with the new Syrian administration on this issue."

VIOLATION OF TRNC AIRSPACE BY A FRENCH WARPLANE

Ministry sources stated the following regarding the violation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's airspace by a French warplane:

"We are closely monitoring every development that could pose a threat to the security of the TRNC. We would like to state that the flights by France are being closely monitored in the region and that coordination is being maintained. Regarding the incident in question, the French Military Attaché was invited to our Ministry, and our sensitivities regarding the region were conveyed. Communication channels are being kept open, and the necessary assessments are being made with our French counterparts. We continue to take the necessary military and political measures to ensure the security of the TRNC and to protect its rights and interests against all activities that violate international law. As in the past, today and tomorrow, we will continue to take the necessary measures for the security, peace, and welfare of the Turkish Cypriots within the framework of guarantee and alliance agreements, at any cost."

MEETING OF THE HIGH DISCIPLINARY BOARD

Ministry sources responded to a question regarding the meeting to be held on January 16, 2025, concerning the lieutenants referred to the High Disciplinary Board as follows:

"The High Disciplinary Board will convene on January 16 to evaluate the situation of the lieutenants. Currently, the defenses of the lieutenants are being taken. January 16 is the day the HDB will evaluate all data. If a decision is reached on January 16, it is expected to be shared with the public after the 'reasoned decision' is prepared."