The reason for the military social facility ban on the İncirlik commander has been revealed

Müyesser YILDIZ- 12punto.com.tr

Retired Colonel Orkun Özeller became known in 2017 while serving at the İncirlik Air Base for rejecting a medal the U.S. wanted to award him for his outstanding success in the fight against ISIS, citing U.S.-YPG relations and leaving the ceremony.

After retiring at his own request in 2021, Özeller recounted what the Americans were doing there in his book titled “İncirlik Ağacı” (The İncirlik Tree). Subsequently, he took on a role in the İYİ Party and dedicated much of his political efforts to drawing attention to the issue of refugees, frequently conducting inspections at our borders. Most recently, in September, he shared his observations regarding the situation on the Iranian border with the public.

After returning to Ankara, he learned one morning that he had been banned from entering the military social facility (Orduevi) he visited, and he made the following statement at the time:

“I believe such a decision was made because I went to the Iranian border. I am trying to raise awareness about the refugee issue. Those who still cannot see the situation at the borders and are not aware of the danger should question the military oath they took. They have pleased the enemies of this country.”

Following this, before initiating legal proceedings against this decision, he wrote to CİMER (Presidency Communication Center) to ask for the reason for the ban.

The answer arrived in recent days.

“THE BAN SHOULD ACTUALLY BE ON HULUSİ AKAR"

In the response from the Ministry of National Defense, it was stated that the decision was “established within the scope of Article 664/4/ç of the Turkish Armed Forces Internal Service Regulation.”

The article in question, which was also the basis for the ban on entering military social facilities imposed on retired soldiers and their families who previously reacted to the lack of support for the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) during the Balyoz-Ergenekon conspiracy cases, and most recently on retired admirals who made statements regarding “protecting the Montreux Convention and not paving the way for new sects in the TSK,” is as follows:

“The entry of those who, despite not being given a special task, make statements, write articles, or make other declarations regarding the duties and duty stations they held during their active service due to their position and title, and who are determined through information and documents received from various commands and official sources to have used clearly derogatory words and behaviors aimed at damaging subordinate-superior relations or destroying the sense of trust in superiors or commanders, into military social facilities, military casinos, and other military social facilities may be temporarily or permanently banned by the Chief of General Staff.”

Evaluating this response for 12punto, retired Colonel Orkun Özeller stated that he had not committed any of the offenses recorded in Article 664 of the TSK Internal Service Regulation, not just the paragraph in question, and made the following assessments:

“For example, there is a ban on making political speeches, making political suggestions and recommendations, or engaging in propaganda about any of the legally or illegally established politically motivated parties, organizations, associations, and groups in military facilities. When I examine this article, I think that first of all, a ban on entering military social facilities should be imposed on Hulusi Akar. I do not know which of the justifications written here they have determined for me. They cannot find any speech of mine that qualifies as political propaganda in any way. If they had found one, legal action would have had to be initiated. There is a paragraph regarding verbal harassment, molestation, violation of chastity and honor, and acts that touch upon military dignity and honor. I have not committed any of those mentioned here either. Not only are these derogatory behaviors contrary to my character, but no one can show any behavior of mine that is contrary to the rules of courtesy. As for the paragraph regarding involvement in reactionary, separatist, or destructive activities; the Ministry of National Defense probably gave such a vague answer so that the perception would form in people's minds: ‘Is Orkun Özeller also involved in separatist or destructive activities?’ I have never had any statement or activity against the TSK, and I cannot have one. Let them prove the opposite, and I will see.”

ARE THEY DEFENDING THE U.S.?

Regarding the “ç” paragraph cited as the reason for the ban, which states, “making statements, writing articles, or making declarations regarding the duties and duty stations they held during their active service despite not being given a special task,” Özeller said the following:

“I did not make statements about the duty stations where I served. In the book I wrote titled ‘İncirlik Ağacı’, I described the schemes the Americans were involved in within the coalition headquarters. If telling these things caused discomfort, it means I have the right to ask you where you got the right to defend the U.S. If my entry into a military forbidden zone during a trip to the Iranian border with İYİ Party Bursa Deputy Selçuk Türkoğlu is being used as a justification, then I would say this: Well, shouldn't sanctions also be applied to commanders who do not see the hundreds of thousands of foreigners crossing our borders illegally and cannot prevent their passage? I suppose those crossing illegally are tolerated, it cannot be that Orkun Özeller is not.”

"I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WAS DONE WITH YAŞAR GÜLER'S APPROVAL"

Noting that there is not even a traffic ticket, let alone any lawsuit or investigation against him, Özeller continued as follows:

“The regulation mentions a temporary or permanent ban. However, I don't even know which one my ban is. I am very sad that the banning of my entry into military social facilities without any justification, without my defense being taken, and without any notification, resembles a ‘FETÖ’-style practice and could lead to unfair accusations against the TSK. Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler Pasha knows me and knows what kind of person I am. I also love and respect him. I do not believe that this practice was carried out with his approval. I think they probably had to implement such a practice under the influence of a fresh politician.”

While announcing that he would file a lawsuit for the cancellation of the transaction in question, Özeller said, “My sole purpose in doing this is to ensure that no one, regardless of their rank, position, or office, engages in arbitrary practices that undermine the reputation of the TSK from now on. The TSK is the apple of all our eyes; we must protect it.”