Message on 'Syria' from the Ministry of National Defense

The Ministry of National Defense held its weekly briefing meeting.

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

Stating that the fight against terrorism continues uninterrupted in accordance with the requirements of the field, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, “Within the scope of counter-terrorism operations, 49 terrorists have been neutralized in the last week. With decisive operations carried out in accordance with the requirements of the field, based on unconventional, unpredictable, rapid, and continuous execution principles, a total of 3,070 terrorists have been neutralized in 2024, including 1,579 terrorists in northern Syria and 1,491 terrorists in northern Iraq. In addition, a total of 107 terrorists have surrendered throughout the year. Our struggle will continue uninterrupted until the last terrorist is removed as a threat to our country.”

Rear Admiral Aktürk continued his speech as follows:

“On the other hand, our Turkish Armed Forces, which continue to lock down terrorist nests, detected a cave with many sections belonging to terrorists in the Claw-Lock Operation region last week, as well as another cave containing a large number of weapons, ammunition, and living supplies.”

Stating that a total of 109 people, including 1 terrorist, were captured on the border line, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, “2,016 individuals were prevented. The success at our borders, where versatile and effective measures are taken on a 24/7 basis, has also been reflected in the figures; in 2024, the number of people caught while trying to cross our borders illegally was 13,939, and the number of people prevented was 97,356. Our Turkish Armed Forces are determined and resolute to raise the bar of success and effectiveness achieved in counter-terrorism and border security even higher in 2025.”

Reminding that the TAF, which plays a pioneering role for regional and global peace, continues to serve successfully in many geographies, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, “In our neighbor Syria, which is going through a historic period after 13 years of civil war, the current situation and developments are being closely monitored in cooperation and coordination with the new administration, and preparations are continuing to increase Syria's security and defense capacity within the scope of the importance and priority we attach to Syria's unity and territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism. All necessary measures are being taken by our units to maintain stability in the region, and efforts are continuing to ensure the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Syrians.”

Rear Admiral Aktürk continued his speech as follows:

“Under the leadership of our President, our Armed Forces are becoming stronger and increasing their deterrence every day with our domestic and national defense industry products developed in line with the goal of a strong and fully independent defense industry. In this context, inspection and acceptance activities for various quantities of the New Generation Fırtına howitzer, the NEFER turreted Armored Combat Vehicle, and the MİLKED Electronic Support System have been completed by our Land Forces Command. In addition to our Blue Homeland and surrounding seas, the construction of 31 ships is successfully continuing in our country's shipyards in order to expand the capabilities of our navy, which waves our glorious flag in all seas and oceans of our interest, on a global scale and to make it more modern, more effective, and stronger. Within this framework, the first welding of our “National Submarine” (MİLDEN) was performed at our Gölcük Shipyard Command, and the first sheet metal cuttings of the “TF-2000 Air Defense Warfare Destroyer” and the “National Aircraft Carrier” were performed at our Istanbul Shipyard Command, and their construction has begun.”

Emphasizing that personnel and military student recruitment activities are continuing as planned, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, “Within the scope of personnel recruitment for the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, Force Commands, and the National Defense University, applications for 'Civil Servant Recruitment' which started on December 20 can be made until January 20, and applications for the National Defense University Military Student Candidate Determination Exam, which started today, January 2, can be made until January 27.”

TAF SUPPORT TO SYRIA IN THE NEW ERA

Ministry of National Defense sources gave the following answer to questions about what kind of support the Turkish Armed Forces will provide to Syria in the new era:

“In line with the directives of our President, after the state organs in Syria become functional, we are in talks with our counterparts to establish strategic relations between the two countries and to establish cooperation in various fields. Necessary support will be provided according to the roadmap to be prepared in line with the needs to be determined after the meetings.

Cooperation in the fields of defense and security is of critical importance not only for consolidating our security but also for establishing regional peace and tranquility.

The Turkish Armed Forces will continue to stand by the Syrian people and provide support in matters falling within its own scope of duty during this transition process.”

OBSERVATION POSTS IN THE IDLIB REGION

Regarding questions about whether there is any work to close or reduce the observation posts in the Idlib region, Ministry of National Defense sources said:

“There are constant new developments in the region, which is a vast and dynamic field, and these are being closely monitored. As the Turkish Armed Forces, plans are constantly updated by making assessments according to developing situations. In this context, measures are being taken regarding the shifting of forces or other matters that may be needed.”

LATEST SITUATION IN EAST OF THE EUPHRATES

Ministry sources answered questions about the latest situation in the east of the Euphrates by saying, “Clashes continue between the SNA and the terrorist organization PKK/PYD/YPG/SDF in the region. In this context, we will continue to be in close cooperation and coordination with our counterparts to ensure Syria's territorial integrity, political unity, security, and stability without compromising on the fight against terrorism. As the TAF, we act in Syria with the principle of 'less talk, more action'.

We once again emphasize that there is no place for terrorist organizations in Syria in the new era, and that our determination that neither the new Syrian administration nor we will allow this is full and absolute.”