Ministry of National Defense discloses details of the terror attack that martyred 12 soldiers! Response to 'martyrs were hidden' claims

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) has issued a statement regarding the ongoing operations against the terrorist organization in Northern Iraq.

ALL TERRORISTS ATTEMPTING TO INFILTRATE WERE NEUTRALIZED

The details of the Claw Operations and the clash with terrorists were explained as follows:

"The uninterrupted and determined struggle of our Turkish Armed Forces against all kinds of threats and dangers, primarily the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG, DAESH, and FETO terrorist organizations, continues. Places once called 'impenetrable/unreachable' are now under control.

Since 2019, the Claw-Lock operations are not limited-duration operations that merely take the breath away from the terrorist organization and prevent its resurgence; they are operations conducted with our proactive security strategy, which aims to destroy terrorism at its source for the survival of our nation, even under difficult weather, difficult terrain, and difficult conditions, to prevent terrorism from entering our lands.

In the past, we fought in the İkiyaka Mountains, Gabar, and Derecik. Now, because we are fighting in northern Iraq, oil is being extracted comfortably in Gabar, festivals are being held in the İkiyaka Mountains, and agricultural breakthroughs are being made in Derecik.

The PKK terrorist organization first attempted an infiltration into the Sur Tepe region in the Hakurk area, located in the northeast of Iraq, on Friday, December 22, and 6 of our heroic comrades-in-arms were martyred during the initial clash. The following day—Saturday, December 23—there was an infiltration attempt against our personnel in the Metina region, where 6 more Mehmetçiks were martyred in the ensuing clash. 13 of our personnel were wounded in both clashes.

The areas where the infiltration attempts occurred are 100 km apart as the crow flies. The terrain in question is high-altitude, rugged, mountainous land with steep slopes and cliffs, and it is a place where thousands of caves are located. Control in the region must be maintained under all weather conditions.

The infiltration attempt was not carried out by groups of 50-100 people as claimed, but by small groups hiding in caves, taking advantage of heavy weather, dense fog, and snowfall (blizzard) conditions where visibility dropped to 5-10 meters, and where the use of UAVs/SİHAs and thermal systems was impossible. Thanks to our units on the front line heroically defending their positions and the battalion commander leading the reinforcement commando unit not relinquishing command despite being wounded, the terrorists' primary objective was thwarted. All terrorists who attempted to infiltrate were neutralized."

The claims that fortifications were insufficient were also answered as follows:

"Commando squads are deployed for security purposes to areas where infiltration or harassment might occur at our Base Zones in the region, and they are not deployed where not needed. Terrain conditions necessitate such an operation, and our personnel are trained accordingly. The nature of the fight against terrorism involves difficult conditions and determination. The TAF carries out operations that no other army in the world would even dare to attempt. Units going on an operation take the equipment required by the mission, taking into account the weather, terrain, and other conditions. Furthermore, personnel are not constantly stationed in the same places; they are rotated without being bound by time, taking into account the region to be brought under control."

"CLAIMING THAT OUR MARTYRS WERE HIDDEN IS SPEAKING WITH THE VOICE OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION"

The response to claims that the news of the martyrs was delayed and that the martyrs were hidden was as follows:

"Procedures regarding martyrs/wounded are carried out according to the Martyr and Veteran Procedures Circular; first, necessary measures are taken to inform the family, and subsequently, it is shared with the public. It is not shared with the public before the family is notified and the status of those whose treatment is ongoing is clarified.

Announcing the news of a martyr to the public before the statement to be made by the MSB may result in misinformation, accelerates the perception the terrorist organization wants to create in society, and creates pessimism in the public. Aside from the statements made by the MSB, posts made on social media, especially by individual users, should not be relied upon. Although the reporting of martyr news by others may create a perception in the public that 'the news of the martyr was hidden,' in an age where communication is so fast and easy, it is impossible to hide it, and such an effort has never been made. Because the truth will come out sooner or later.

As of Friday evening, December 22, there are no martyred soldiers other than those announced in the Claw-Lock Operation zone, contrary to what some social media accounts have claimed. The treatment of our wounded personnel continues. The TAF has never buried any of our martyrs without announcing their photos and names and honoring them before our people. Claiming that our martyrs were hidden is speaking with the voice of the terrorist organization."

"ALL PERSONNEL WORKING IN COUNTER-TERRORISM ARE PROFESSIONALS"

The following information was provided regarding the personnel serving in the region:

"All personnel working in counter-terrorism are professionals and are assigned to the region for which they are responsible after receiving all necessary training. The personnel in question take up their duties after completing their orientation with experienced personnel and are not assigned unless they possess the tactical and technical knowledge appropriate to their level.

In addition, inspections are carried out from time to time by sequential unit commands and Army/Force Commands, and the proficiency levels of the personnel and the unit in subjects such as training, shooting, sports, etc., are determined and reported. Our Turkish Armed Forces, which are currently serving with heroism and sacrifice in challenging climate and terrain conditions at our base zones and borders, will continue their fight against terrorism with determination and resolve, at an increasing pressure and intense pace, until all terrorist lairs are destroyed and not a single terrorist remains."

"THE INCIDENT IS BEING INVESTIGATED IN EVERY ASPECT"

When asked whether there was "negligence" in the last attack, the following answer was given:

"After incidents occurring in the TAF, an administrative investigation is immediately established, and action is taken against those who have responsibility/fault. In this incident as well, an administrative investigation and inquiry have been initiated, and the incident is being examined in every aspect.

In the TAF, following incidents, a 'Lessons Learned Bulletin' is published by our Training and Doctrine Command to develop the lessons that need to be learned to prevent them from happening again and the skills that personnel need to acquire, and it is ensured that it is used actively in training.

Practical training for this and similar incidents is provided in Class Schools and Training Centers, especially in Counter-Terrorism Operation courses, and the tactical and technical development of personnel appropriate to their level is ensured."

The question "Does mobile phone usage cause vulnerability?" was answered with the following statements:

It is known by everyone that smartphones create security problems even in daily life. As the MSB, a study is being conducted on the subject regarding personnel and unit security. Serious measures will be taken regarding this issue.

"SOME COMMENTS ARE USED BY THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION FOR PROPAGANDA PURPOSES"

The question of whether there was a strategic error in the operations was answered as follows:

"While the TAF previously held such terrain only when weather conditions permitted, with the changing and developing concept, it continues to keep it under control in winter as well. Indeed, previously, these control points were not held within the scope of 'Winter deployment,' and when they started to be held again in the spring months, IEDs were encountered, making it more difficult to clear the region.

In this context, sentences that are frequently shown in broadcasting organs such as television/social media and start with 'In my time / during the period I served' have no validity. Because everything is changing: conditions, technology, tactics, people, concepts... Even the terrorists are changing. The only thing that does not change is change itself.

We respect every criticism, but comments made with incomplete/outdated information and experience confuse the public, and some comments are even used by the terrorist organization for propaganda purposes."