Security summit at Dolmabahçe concludes

Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun had announced via a post on his social media account that a Security Meeting would be held upon the decision of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The meeting, chaired by President Erdoğan at the Dolmabahçe Working Office, was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Chief of General Staff General Metin Gürak, Director of the National Intelligence Organization İbrahim Kalın, Chief Advisor to the President on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun.

"STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN THE CONTEXT OF COUNTER-TERRORISM WERE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING"

The security meeting held at the Dolmabahçe Working Office has concluded. A written statement was issued by the Directorate of Communications following the meeting, which lasted 1 and a half hours.

The statement is as follows:

“At the meeting, our counter-terrorism strategies were evaluated in a holistic manner, and the treacherous terrorist attack carried out yesterday in the Claw-Lock Operation Zone in northern Iraq, as well as the steps we have taken and will take in the context of counter-terrorism, were discussed.

We express clearly and unequivocally that the Republic of Turkey continues its fight against the terrorist organization PKK/YPG/KCK and its supporters with perseverance and determination, within the framework of its strategy to prevent and destroy threats to its survival at their source.

"45 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED"

In the operations launched following the treacherous attack, a total of 45 terrorists have been neutralized, 36 in northern Iraq and 9 in northern Syria. This struggle of ours will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized and the terror swamps in Iraq and Syria are completely drained. The separatist terrorist organization, which has reached the point of extinction within our borders, has suffered very heavy losses as a result of our successful cross-border operations. As the terrorist organization is cornered in the Syrian and Iraqi fields, attempts to re-arm and revitalize the organization have also gained momentum.

"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A 'TERRORISTAN' WILL NOT BE PERMITTED"

The recent increase in terrorist acts against our units serving outside our borders is a treacherous part of the scenarios to fatten the organization. Turkey will absolutely not permit the establishment of a 'terroristan' along its southern borders, regardless of the pretext or reason.

Within the framework of our right to self-defense and bilateral agreements, our primary priority is to permanently destroy any terrorist threat, camp, shelter, formation, or cluster, regardless of who is behind it. Those who act as subcontractors for the enemies of Turkey are being held accountable, and will continue to be held accountable, for every drop of blood shed by the separatist cowards. We are determined to frustrate both those who act as pawns in the traps set to block the path of our Century of Turkey goal and those who hold their strings.

"CONDOLENCES TO OUR NATION"

We pray for God's mercy upon our soldiers who were martyred in the treacherous terrorist attack carried out yesterday in the Claw-Lock Operation Zone in northern Iraq. We extend our condolences to the families and relatives of our martyrs, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our beloved nation. We pray to the Almighty for a speedy recovery for our soldiers who were wounded in the attack and are currently receiving treatment.”