Statement regarding 'Van attack' and 'Edremit attack' posts

Authorities have taken action following the emergence of 'Van attack' and 'Edremit attack' hashtags on the social media platform 'X', posted by unidentified individuals in Van.

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In Van, posts published on the 'X' social media platform by unidentified person or persons regarding a "Van attack" and "Edremit attack" have prompted authorities to take action.

STATEMENT FROM THE CYBERCRIMES DIRECTORATE

The Cybercrimes Division of the Van Security Directorate refuted the posts following their investigation. In a written statement regarding the matter, the Van Security Directorate said, "On January 9, 2024, at approximately 21:30, it was observed that the hashtags 'Edremit Attack' and 'Van Attack' had entered the trending topics in Turkey on the X social media platform.

As a result of the research conducted by our directorate's teams, it was determined that no such attack had occurred and that the posts in question were created by bot accounts (social media accounts managed by computer programs) using nonsensical words. A judicial investigation into the matter has been initiated."

"THERE IS NO SUCH INCIDENT OR DEVELOPMENT"

The Presidency's Directorate of Communications Center for Combating Disinformationrefuted the posts made on the X platform under the hashtags "Van attack" and "Edremit attack" via its social media account.

The statement read, "Do not give credence to manipulative campaigns conducted on the X platform using bot accounts with the hashtags 'Van attack' and 'Edremit attack' intended to create panic and public outrage. There is no such incident or development regarding these two topics appearing on the Trending list."