6 soldiers were martyred: The cause of the helicopter crash in Isparta has been determined

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) held its weekly briefing meeting.

Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Press and Public Relations Advisor for the Ministry of National Defense (MSB), recalled during the weekly press briefing held at the Ministry that a UH-1 type helicopter conducting a training flight in Isparta had crashed, and stated that the cause of the incident would be clarified after the investigation by the crash investigation team.

Aktürk wished God's mercy upon the soldiers who were martyred in the accident and extended his condolences and patience to their families, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), and the nation.

Emphasizing that the TSK's counter-terrorism operations in northern Iraq and Syria, carried out "at the source, continuously and comprehensively," are continuing with determination, Aktürk reported that 3 more PKK terrorists who escaped from their shelters in northern Iraq last week surrendered to the border outpost in Habur.

Evaluating the developments in Syria, Aktürk stated that Turkey has stood by the Syrian people from the very beginning and continued as follows:

"Our country, which continues to strive for the territorial integrity, political unity, security, and stability of Syria, is closely following the latest situation and all developments in the region. We are taking preventive and destructive measures against terrorist groups that pose a threat to the security of our country, Syria, and our region and are trying to gain ground by taking advantage of the situation, and we are continuing our efforts to ensure the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Syrians. In this context, we once again emphasize that all legitimate actors in the region must act carefully and responsibly, that we will not allow terrorist elements to target Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity by taking advantage of the uncertainty in the region, and that our stance on combating terrorist organizations is clear and our determination is absolute."

93 THOUSAND 326 PEOPLE PREVENTED FROM CROSSING THE BORDER THIS YEAR

Underlining that the borders are protected with the most intensive and effective measures in the history of the Republic, Aktürk said, "In the last week, 223 individuals have been apprehended at our borders, and the number of those caught while trying to cross our borders illegally since January 1st has reached 13 thousand 527. With the 596 individuals prevented in the last week, the number of people prevented this year has reached 93 thousand 326."

Rear Admiral Aktürk explained that the TSK successfully serves in many geographies within the scope of bilateral relations and international missions, and makes significant contributions to regional and global peace and stability.

Recalling that the TSK handed over the Kosovo Force (KFOR) Command, which it had carried out for one year with complete impartiality and transparency, on October 10, Aktürk stated that the KFOR Deputy Command duty was taken over on October 18. Aktürk used the following expressions:

"Our Turkish Armed Forces are successfully continuing the KFOR Reserve Battalion duty with one commando battalion between December 1, 2024, and December 1, 2025; the Black Sea Task Force Command between 2024 and 2028; the Mediterranean Task Force Command between 2024 and 2025; the command of the Combined Task Force (CTF-151) against maritime piracy, which we took over for the 7th time on July 24; and the command of NATO's Standing Maritime Group-2, which it took over from the Canadian Navy on December 3. Furthermore, the command of NATO's Standing Mine Countermeasures Group-2 will be taken over from Romania on December 16, and said duty will be held until July 5, 2025."

Stating that the TSK continues to support the rightful causes of brotherly, friendly, and allied countries, especially Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Libya, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar, Aktürk said, "On this occasion, we commemorate the late Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of brotherly Azerbaijan, who cemented the unity and solidarity of the two brotherly nations by saying 'We are one nation, two states,' with mercy and respect on the 21st anniversary of his passing."

Rear Admiral Aktürk recalled that Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler held phone calls with the defense ministers of the USA on December 8 and the United Kingdom on December 10, where bilateral and regional defense and security issues, primarily the latest developments in Syria, were discussed.

Noting that Güler attended the 15th Ambassadors Conference held in Ankara on December 9, Aktürk recorded that he subsequently received the Chief of General Staff of Albania, who came to Ankara as the official guest of Chief of General Staff General Metin Gürak, and that on December 10, he attended the ceremony held in Isparta for the soldiers martyred in the helicopter crash with the command echelon.

Aktürk said that Minister Güler will attend the 2025 budget negotiations of the Ministry to be held in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) tomorrow.

"WE STRONGLY CONDEMN THIS OCCUPATION WHICH WILL BENEFIT TERROR GROUPS IN SYRIA"

Stating that Israel continues its unjust and unlawful attacks and violations of international law, Aktürk recalled that Turkey has clearly demonstrated its stance against the genocide of the Palestinian people, emphasizing at every opportunity from the very beginning that the attacks must stop, and inviting the international community to act responsibly. Rear Admiral Aktürk continued his words as follows:

"Israel is now violating the 'Agreement on Disengagement of Forces' signed in 1974, entering the disengagement zone between Israel and Syria, and occupying Syrian territory. While a new opportunity for peace and security has arisen in Syria, we strongly condemn this occupation, which is destabilizing, increasing tension, causing anxiety among the civilian population, and will also benefit terrorist groups. Attacks that will hinder the establishment of stability in Syria will not be in the interest of the countries of the region, including Israel, or the international community."

TRAINING AND EXERCISES

Reporting that the TSK continues its training and exercise activities without interruption, simultaneously with all the operations and duties it currently carries out, Aktürk announced that the On Guard Computer-Assisted Command Post Exercise held in Istanbul will end tomorrow, and that the Crossed Swords Exercise, which began yesterday in Estonia, will continue until December 16.

Aktürk stated that the Ayyıldız Turkey-Pakistan Bilateral SAT Exercise is planned to be held in Pakistan between December 17-26, and provided the following information:

"Our mine-hunting ship TCG Akçakoca paid a port visit to Thessaloniki/Greece between December 7-9 within the scope of the NATO Standing Mine Countermeasures Group-2 mission. Port visits are being made to Lisbon/Portugal by our ship TCG Kemalreis between December 10-13 within the scope of the NATO Standing Maritime Group-2 (SNMG-2) mission, and to Mersin by the Sangram ship belonging to the Bangladesh Navy between December 8-16 within the scope of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission. Port visits to Izmir by the Oriku belonging to the Albanian Navy and to Antalya by the Courbet ship belonging to the French Navy are planned between December 15-22. Additionally, we will participate with 2 F-16 aircraft in the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Operation activity to be conducted in Romanian airspace on December 19."

DEFENSE INDUSTRY

Stating that activities to increase the capabilities and capacities of the TSK with domestic and national defense industry products are continuing, Aktürk announced that in this context, the inspection and acceptance activities of a various quantity of 'Improved Armored Personnel Carriers with Sarp Turret' by the Land Forces Command have been completed.

"IT WILL BE EVALUATED IF SUITABLE CONDITIONS ARE FORMED ON THE GROUND"

MSB sources answered journalists' questions after the press briefing held at the Ministry.

Regarding questions about whether the tomb of Suleyman Shah will be moved back to its original location after the village of Karakozak in northern Syria is cleared of terror, the sources said, "The progress of the Syrian National Army (SNA) in the region and the operations to clear it of terror are still ongoing. We are following the developments closely. This issue will be evaluated if suitable conditions are formed on the ground."

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE PREVENTIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE MEASURES"

Regarding the news that an attempt is being made to create a "perception that the ISIS threat continues in the east of the Euphrates," Ministry sources said the following:

"We are following all kinds of activities aimed at providing a protective umbrella for the PKK/YPG to create the perception that the DAESH threat continues in the east of the Euphrates. We have repeatedly conveyed and continue to convey to our interlocutors that one terrorist organization cannot be cleared by using another terrorist organization. We emphasize that we will not allow terrorist organizations, especially the PKK/YPG, to gain ground by taking advantage of the situation in Syria. We will continue to take preventive and destructive measures."

Regarding questions about Manbij, which the SNA cleared of the terrorist organization PKK/YPG, the sources stated that the SNA has established control over the entirety of Manbij and cleared the region of terror.

The sources said, "This development is a part of the counter-terrorism struggle that the SNA has been conducting for years within the scope of protecting Syria's territorial integrity, ensuring its political unity, and ending destabilizing terrorist activities. This development is also pleasing for us in terms of contributing to Turkey's border security and removing the terrorist threat directed at our country."

"THE ACCIDENT HAS NO CONNECTION TO THE AGE OR MAINTENANCE OF THE HELICOPTER"

Ministry sources also provided the following information regarding questions about the helicopter crash in Isparta, in which 6 soldiers were martyred:

"The accident occurred as a result of contact between two helicopters during flight training. The UH-1 helicopter crashed, and the AB-206 helicopter landed safely. The accident has no connection to the age or maintenance of the helicopter. A detailed investigation into the accident is ongoing."

News Source: 12punto