MSB sources: 'Turkish Armed Forces are ready to take on tasks regarding humanitarian aid and evacuation'

Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Advisor Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk provided information on the operations conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces against terrorist organizations during the weekly press briefing at the ministry.

Emphasizing that they act with the understanding of "destroying terrorism at its source" both domestically and across the border, Aktürk said, "Including northern Iraq and Syria, 87 terrorists have been neutralized in the last week, bringing the number of terrorists neutralized within the year to 1,802, and to 39,145 since July 24, 2015."

LATEST STATUS IN OPERATION CLAW-LOCK

Reporting that the number of terrorists neutralized so far in Operation Claw-Lock in northern Iraq has risen to 630, Aktürk stated that 1,373 weapons of various calibers and 766,339 pieces of ammunition were seized, 2,460 mines and improvised explosive devices were destroyed, and 771 caves and shelters were rendered unusable within the scope of the operation.

'TAF IS READY FOR EVACUATION FROM GAZA'

Upon a question regarding the activities of Turkish Armed Forces elements in aid efforts for Gaza following the Israeli attacks, sources stated, "The Turkish Armed Forces are ready to take on tasks regarding both humanitarian aid and evacuation in line with the directives to be given."

Drawing attention to the Turkish Armed Forces' experience in both evacuation and medical support, the sources noted that the most important factor in carrying out aid efforts is the suitability of the environment in the region.

425 ATTACK ATTEMPTS FROM SYRIA

Stating that a cave with many rooms, a depth of 1 kilometer including the rooms, tunnel passages reinforced with concrete, and 3 separate entrances was detected during search and scan activities in the region in question, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "It has been determined that one of the two terrorists neutralized here was on the gray list."

Aktürk also shared images of the detected cave. Stating that there were 425 harassment and attack attempts targeting operational areas in Syria within the year, Aktürk said, "By providing the necessary response, 1,321 terrorists have been neutralized, 23 of them in the last week."

561 PEOPLE APPREHENDED AT BORDERS

Stating that 561 people, 5 of whom are FETÖ members, trying to cross the border illegally in the last week were apprehended, and 2,452 people were prevented before they could cross the border, Aktürk said, "Thus, the number of those apprehended while trying to cross our borders illegally within the year has risen to 10,974. A total of 560 members of terrorist organizations, 394 of whom are FETÖ members, have been handed over to law enforcement agencies. The number of people prevented before they could cross the border has reached 182,129."

CONDEMNATION OF ISRAELI ATTACKS

Touching upon Israel's attacks on Palestine, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "We condemn Israel's attack on the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the only cancer hospital in Gaza, on October 30, and the attacks it carried out on the Jabalia Refugee Camp on October 31 and November 1. Our wish is that all efforts made to stop the bloodshed, which lead to a ceasefire and peace, continue to be shown and reach a conclusion."

VIRTUAL TOUR AT ANITKABIR

Stating that ministry activities will be presented to the public instantly via mobile devices with a mobile application that will be launched next week, Aktürk stated that the mobile application will provide quick access to instant notifications and announcements in addition to the content on the official website. Stating that the application will first provide a virtual tour opportunity at Anıtkabir and the Harbiye Military Museum, and then at all military museums, Aktürk said that military service procedures can also be tracked in the application.

F-16 MESSAGE TO THE USA

Upon a question regarding the latest status in the procurement of F-16s from the USA, sources stated that the technical meetings of the delegations have been completed and that the completion of the procedures in the USA is awaited. The sources said, "We want this process to be concluded positively and quickly as soon as possible. We state once again that this issue should not be tied to any conditions."