Statement from the Ministry of National Defense regarding Specialist Sergeant Ümit Kökçıkaran: The footage is unfortunately true

The Ministry of National Defense held its weekly briefing meeting.

Speaking at the press conference held at the Ministry, Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Advisor Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk provided updates on recent developments.

Stating that operations are continuing uninterrupted both domestically and across the border against all kinds of threats and dangers, primarily the PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG, DAESH, and FETO terrorist organizations, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "In the last week, including northern Iraq and Syria, 48 terrorists have been neutralized, bringing the total number of terrorists neutralized since January 1 to 2,505, with 1,299 in northern Iraq and 1,206 in northern Syria."

Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), which continue to enter terrorist lairs, have seized a large number of weapons, ammunition, and various materials in caves belonging to terrorists identified in the Pençe-Kilit operation zone in northern Iraq. Aktürk also announced that one more PKK terrorist surrendered to the border outpost in Ceylanpınar within the last week.

149 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 1 TERRORIST, CAPTURED AT THE BORDER LINE

Stating that security is ensured at the borders with a multi-layered security system, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "In the last week, 149 individuals, including one member of a terrorist organization, who were trying to cross our borders illegally, have been captured, and 1,443 individuals have been prevented. Thus, the number of people captured while trying to cross our borders illegally since January 1 has risen to 12,610, and the number of people prevented has risen to 87,755."

UK DEFENSE SECRETARY TO VISIT TUSAŞ

Speaking about the program of Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Rear Admiral Aktürk stated, "Our Minister will host the UK Secretary of State for Defence, who is in our country today as his official guest, and subsequently, both ministers will visit TUSAŞ, one of the most important institutions of our defense industry, which was recently subjected to a heinous terrorist attack."

Rear Admiral Aktürk continued his speech as follows:

"Within the scope of the Ottawa Convention, a delegation consisting of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Ottawa Convention Implementation Support Unit visited the National Mine Action Center between November 4-8 to share good practices and lessons learned by our country in mine clearance activities and to support efforts to establish a Mine Action Center in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On the other hand, we once again congratulate the athletes of our Turkish Armed Forces Sports Power team, who became European champions and achieved rankings at the European Kickboxing Championship held in Greece between November 1-10, and who won a total of 17 gold, 25 silver, and 11 bronze medals in their respective categories at the 'November 10 Atatürk Commemoration Day International Masters Long Course Swimming Championship' held in Ankara between November 8-10, and who broke a Turkish record in the 'breaststroke' branch."

Speaking about Israel's attacks on the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon, Aktürk said, "Israel, which has caused the death of more than 45,000 innocent Palestinian people, mostly women and children, in Palestine, continues to attack Lebanon and escalate tensions with Iran. Israel's aggression, which also hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid, poses a major threat to the security and stability of the region. We once again call on the international community and regional countries to show the necessary determination against Israel's genocide, annexation attempts, and the tensions it will create in the region."

Stating that the deterrence of the TSK continues to be increased with domestic defense industry products, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "The inspection and acceptance activities of a various quantity of NEFER Turret Armored Combat Vehicles by our Land Forces Command have been completed. In addition, various events will be organized at the Eskişehir 1st Main Jet Base Command between November 15-17 within the scope of the 50th anniversary of the entry of F-4E aircraft into the inventory."

Reminding that personnel and military student recruitment activities are continuing as planned, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "Applications for the 2024 physician, dentist class contract/commissioned officer, pharmacist class, and special qualified physical education teacher class commissioned officer candidate recruitment will end today, and applications for the 2024 pilot class commissioned officer candidate recruitment to the Air Force Command will end tomorrow."

MINISTER GÜLER'S LATEST STATEMENTS REGARDING EUROFIGHTER PROCUREMENT

Ministry of National Defense sources, upon questions regarding the latest situation regarding Eurofighter procurement within the scope of Minister Yaşar Güler's recent statements, said, "Approval for the sale of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to our country was previously given by the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy, which are consortium member countries, and approval was given by Germany for the appointment of the Temporary Sales Authority for the sale of the aircraft. It is evaluated that this issue will accelerate the procurement process. Technical-level work on the procurement of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, which is considered to be an alternative to meet the operational needs of our Air Force Command, is continuing."

Ministry sources also reminded that the Eurofighter issue will also be on the agenda during the UK Defense Secretary's visit to Minister Yaşar Güler today.

ERDOĞAN'S LATEST STATEMENTS REGARDING SOUTHERN BORDERS

Ministry sources, upon questions about whether a new ground operation will be carried out in northern Syria following the words of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, "We will close the gap regarding our southern borders," noted the following:

"It is Turkey's most natural right to carry out operations for the security of our country and our borders in terms of international law and self-defense. We have done whatever is necessary in this regard until today, and we will do so from now on. Wherever the source of terrorism that threatens our country and our nation may be, as we have done before, the necessary action will be taken when the time and place come. What is important for us is to protect the security of our people and our country, as well as the rights and interests of our country, and we are determined in this."

CLAIMS THAT TRNC BASES WILL BE LEASED BY THE USA

Ministry sources said the following regarding the claims that bases in the TRNC would be leased by the USA:

"We are closely following every development that could upset the balance on the Island of Cyprus and pose a threat to the security of the TRNC. We continue to take the necessary military and political measures to ensure the security of the TRNC and to protect its rights and interests against all kinds of initiatives that may be attempted to be implemented in violation of international law, such as foreign states having bases on the Island. Turkey, as it has in the past, will continue to take the necessary measures at all costs for the security, peace, and prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots within the framework of the Guarantee and Alliance Treaties, today and tomorrow."

SPECIALIST SERGEANT ÜMİT KÖKÇIKARAN DISMISSED FROM THE TSK

Ministry sources, upon questions regarding the footage of a Turkish soldier serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina being caught by an anti-pedophilia group falling onto social media, said:

"The footage on social media is unfortunately true. Tank Specialist Sergeant Ümit Kökçıkaran's temporary overseas assignment was terminated on October 28, and subsequently, his contract was terminated on November 4, 2024, and his connection with the TSK was severed. In addition, a judicial process has been initiated against the aforementioned personnel, and a criminal complaint has been filed with the public prosecutor's office."

It has been learned that Specialist Sergeant Ümit Kökçıkaran, who was caught by an anti-pedophilia group while about to meet with a 15-year-old girl in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was dismissed from the TSK weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/LqtrnrAf6o

— Haber Report (@HaberReport) November 11, 2024

CLAIMS THAT AN AFGHAN DOCTOR IS SERVING IN THE TSK

Ministry sources responded to the claims that an Afghan-origin doctor is serving in the TSK, saying, "No Afghan citizen, civilian or military, who has acquired Turkish citizenship, is serving in the cadres within the military health system of the TSK. The news in question is intended to discredit and smear our Ministry and the TSK with a deliberate and misleading expression."

ASTANA PROCESS MEETINGS

Ministry sources made the following assessments upon questions regarding the Astana process meetings:

"The High-Level Officials Meeting held in Astana on November 11-12, 2024, was carried out with the participation of representatives of the guarantor countries, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Turkey. In this context, efforts will continue to work together on combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and standing against separatist agendas that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and threaten the national security of neighboring countries, including cross-border attacks and infiltrations; with the participation of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), efforts will be continued to re-establish relations between Turkey and Syria on the basis of mutual respect, good faith, and good neighborly relations in order to create suitable conditions for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Syrians, to revitalize the political process, and to ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to all Syrians."

News Source: 12punto