Yaşar Güler's striking remarks on the 'opening process': 'The moment we completely finished off the PKK...'

Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler met with members of the press in Ankara. Evaluating the end of the year, Güler spoke about the activities of 2025 as well as the preparations made for 2026. On Güler's agenda was also the second opening process, dubbed 'Terror-Free Turkey,' which is being conducted with the DEM Party and the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Öcalan.

Stating that 2025 was an important year in the fight against terrorism, Güler said that there has been an increase in the number of terrorists surrendering following the PKK terrorist organization's declaration of dissolution. Stating that 105 terrorists have surrendered since the beginning of the year, and 69 since the declaration of dissolution, Güler said, "Our ultimate goal is the end of terrorism, which is the common wish of our 86 million citizens, the complete liquidation of terrorist organizations, and the elimination of all kinds of threats against our country. I would like to remind you once again that we will not allow any terrorist organization, especially the PKK-YPG-SDG, to take root in the region, to operate under different names, in short, we will not allow any terrorist formation or fait accompli."

"INTEGRATION OF THE SDF INTO THE SYRIAN ARMY IS NECESSARY"

Güler stated that ensuring stability and security in Syria and fighting against terrorist organizations are of vital importance for Turkey's national security, saying, "It is necessary for the SDF to be separated from terrorist elements and integrated into the Syrian army, to abandon separatist and decentralist rhetoric, to be connected to the central authority, and also to completely eliminate parallel security structures in the field. In this context, as Turkey, we have been following the process very closely and meticulously from the very beginning."

Stating that Turkey's border security system is at an impressive and exemplary level with its extraordinary efforts, continuous development of technological infrastructure, and multi-layered security approach, Güler noted that our border security system has also become a model taken as an example by many NATO and regional countries.

Noting that the activities of the Turkish Armed Forces in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean are carried out in line with national interests and that a constructive and responsible stance based on international law is displayed, Güler said, "Necessary diplomatic steps are being taken against the unilateral initiatives that Greece occasionally brings to the agenda in the region, and all kinds of measures are being implemented uncompromisingly on the basis of international law and the principle of reciprocity. We occasionally encounter actions and rhetoric aimed at disrupting the constructive efforts put forward by the leaders of the two countries. Those who are trying to build a political career by sowing discord between the Turkish and Greek peoples should get rid of their paranoia of threats and stop undermining the process. The Turkish Armed Forces are not a threat to anyone who does not pose a threat to them. However, they have the power and determination to eliminate any threat that may be directed at our country."

MESSAGE ON THE TRNC

Underlining that no initiative aimed at excluding Turkey in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean can succeed, Güler said that they defend the rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with the same sensitivity in this direction.

Güler said, "We express clearly and netly to all our interlocutors on international platforms the fact that the only way to a fair, permanent, and sustainable solution on the Island is the recognition of the equal, sovereign, and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots as two states. On the other hand, it is clear that the military and political cooperation and armament activities that the Greek Cypriot Administration is trying to develop with actors from within or outside the region do not serve the peace environment on the Island, but on the contrary, escalate tension. As the motherland and guarantor country, Turkey's determination to take all kinds of military and political measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people is as full as it has been until today."

"OUR DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH THE US REGARDING THE SDF IS DECREASING"

The meeting continued with a question-and-answer session with members of the press following Minister Güler's statements.

When asked whether there is a disagreement with the US regarding the SDF, Güler said, "Our negotiations with the US regarding the integration of the SDF continue. The US's thoughts have changed quite a bit. Our American friends now see the facts better, and our difference of opinion on this issue is decreasing. We have clearly expressed what we want. There is no backing down from this issue. They will absolutely be integrated into the Syrian army. The SDF also talks about integration, but what they are talking about is integration as a unit. They need to be integrated individually, not as a unit. Otherwise, this would not be called integration."

Regarding what would happen if the SDF does not integrate into the Syrian army, Minister Güler said, "When needed, we do what is necessary without asking anyone."

Reminding that training is being provided to Syria on the fight against terrorism, Güler said, "Just as we provided training support to Azerbaijan, Libya, and Somalia, we can provide the same to them. We started their training in Turkey and we are continuing. We think that we should help Syria's fight against terrorism and we are continuing our efforts in this direction."

"THE MOMENT WE COMPLETELY FINISHED OFF THE PKK, THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD COMPLY WITH THE 'TERROR-FREE TURKEY' PROCESS"

Responding to questions about the second opening process, dubbed 'Terror-Free Turkey,' Güler said, "As the Turkish Armed Forces, the moment we completely finished off the PKK, the terrorist organization announced that it would comply with the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process. In other words, we achieved our goal by bringing the terrorist organization to the stage of laying down arms following successful operations. We now want our brotherhood to be permanent by successfully reaching the goal of a Terror-Free Turkey. Our citizens should be sure of this; the Turkish Armed Forces, our Ministry, and the relevant units of our state are aware of what is going on in this process. We are exerting the same sensitivity today in the Terror-Free Turkey process as the attention we spent in the fight against terrorism in the past. The process will not continue in the way the terrorist organization wants, but in the way our state determines and wants."

"THE BLACK BOX OF OUR CRASHED C-130 TYPE CARGO PLANE IS STILL BEING EXAMINED"

Speaking about the C-130 cargo plane that crashed while returning from Azerbaijan, Güler said, "We started using the C-130s in 1964. Such an accident had not happened since that day. C-130s are still used by exactly 70 countries today as the safest planes in the world. After this accident, we took all of our C-130 planes under control. We will continue to use our planes after completing this control. The black box of our crashed plane is still being examined at TUSAŞ. Our accident investigation board is also continuing its work. It is not finished yet. Whatever the result is about the cause of our plane's crash, we will announce it with transparency."

Minister Güler stated that the UAV shot down by F-16s on December 15 was a UAV used in the Black Sea due to the Russia-Ukraine war and that it went out of control. Stating that the wreckage search efforts are continuing, Güler said that the public will be informed with an examination to be made when the wreckage of the UAV is reached.

EUROFIGHTER PROCUREMENT

Providing information regarding Turkey's Eurofighter procurement, Güler included the following statements:

"With the agreement we made with the UK, we are purchasing 20 newly produced Eurofighter jets. The Eurofighter jets to be produced will enter the inventory in 2030 with 6, in 2031 with 8, and in 2032 with 6. In addition, our negotiations for the procurement of Eurofighter jets with both Qatar and Oman are continuing positively. The Eurofighters we will receive from Qatar are ready-to-use planes with very little flight time. Our Qatari brothers are showing great understanding. We will buy these planes together with the ammunition and materials in Qatar. The planes we will receive from Oman are also planes that have flown little. They are sitting in hangars. The planes to be procured from Oman need to be modernized with AESA radar, METEOR firing capability, and current avionics systems. We expect the modernization to be completed for 12 planes in 2028. We are buying the Eurofighter jets together with Meteor missiles. We will also be able to use our own ammunition with our own national software in these planes. In this process, we will also make something better than the Meteor missile, and if they want, we will sell it to them."