Debate over Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) decisions continues: Statement from the Ministry of National Defense regarding retired colonels

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) issued a statement regarding the decisions taken at the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ), stating, 'The information circulating on social media that more than 400 colonels have been retired is incorrect and an exaggerated claim. The number of retired colonels is much lower.'

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Debate over Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) decisions continues: Statement from the Ministry of National Defense regarding retired colonels

A press briefing was held by the Ministry of National Defense (MSB).

Speaking at the press conference held at the Ministry, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Press and Public Relations Advisor to the Ministry of National Defense, stated that 64 terrorists had been neutralized in the last week and provided the following information:

"The number of terrorists neutralized since January has reached 1,652, with 796 in northern Iraq and 856 in northern Syria. Our Turkish Armed Forces, which continue to enter terrorist lairs one by one, have identified numerous caves and shelters belonging to terrorists in the Claw-Lock Operation region in northern Iraq. During search and sweep activities, including in the identified caves and shelters, various amounts of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), binoculars and sniper scopes, radios, generators, thermal umbrellas, mortars, rocket launchers, sniper ammunition, and living supplies were seized. On this occasion, we once again wish God's mercy upon our heroic comrade-in-arms, Infantry Sergeant Habip Murat Alp, who was martyred in the Claw-Lock Operation region on August 7."

INTERVENTION IN FOREST FIRES

Emphasizing that the Reserve Force created by the Turkish Armed Forces has been providing uninterrupted support to firefighting efforts, Rear Admiral Aktürk stated, "Support has been provided to extinguish forest fires occurring in 18 different locations with 54 helicopters and 1,300 sorties."

LATEST SITUATION IN THE CLAW-LOCK OPERATION REGION

Ministry of National Defense sources responded to questions regarding claims by media outlets close to the PKK terrorist organization that a large number of soldiers were martyred in northern Iraq as follows:

"Our operations in the Claw region are continuing effectively and successfully. Our coordination with Iraq is both positive and increasing day by day. From time to time, some unrealistic reports are published in media outlets sympathetic to the terrorist organization and on social media. These are nothing more than the final gasps of the terrorist organization. There are clashes and infiltration attempts in the operation region. We transparently inform the public about these. Apart from this, we advise that all unrealistic statements made by media outlets sympathetic to the terrorist organization be approached with caution. Statements other than those from the Ministry of National Defense should not be taken into account. The recent increase in the number of terrorists neutralized in the region is related to our transition to a comprehensive and continuous operation phase. There are terrorists remaining in the caves there; they are being cleared out slowly. Operations will continue until the area is completely cleared. We are not far from closing the lock."

SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL (YAŞ) DECISIONS

Regarding questions about the latest Supreme Military Council decisions, Ministry sources said:

"Promotion and retirement procedures for generals/admirals and colonels serving in the TSK are carried out within the scope of the relevant articles of the Turkish Armed Forces Personnel Law No. 926 and Presidential Decrees No. 3 and 8. A meticulous study lasting approximately one year is conducted by the MSB with the participation of the General Staff, Force Commands, and the entire TSK. The professional backgrounds of the generals/admirals and colonels who will undergo YAŞ evaluation are assessed in detail. All these studies, examinations, and analyses are presented to the evaluations of the YAŞ Board chaired by our President, and the YAŞ decisions taken as a result of the board's evaluations are shared with the public after being finalized with the approval of our President.

According to the Turkish Armed Forces Personnel Law No. 926, a minimum undergraduate education requirement is sought for promotion to general/admiral ranks. In this context, a personnel at the rank of colonel who is in line for promotion, regardless of their source, can be promoted to general/admiral as in the past, if they meet the necessary promotion requirements in the relevant legislation and within the scope of personnel needs, as a result of the evaluations of the Supreme Military Council Board chaired by our President. Furthermore, there is no loss of rights regarding the personal benefits of our personnel who have completed their service periods with great devotion and honor and have retired. All necessary legal regulations have been made regarding these matters. The information circulating on social media that more than 400 colonels have been retired is incorrect and an exaggerated claim. The number of retired colonels is much lower. Retirement notifications are made 'personally' only to protect the personal rights of the personnel. The claims made regarding the retired colonels are not only untrue, but the service periods of 455 colonels have been extended for 2 years in line with the needs of the TSK. Every single personnel in the TSK is valuable. All evaluations regarding retirement are made according to the needs of the TSK, the professional background of the personnel, and the cadre situation."

News Source: İHA