Under arrest: Ministry of National Defense issues statement on Brigadier General Bilal Çokay, who engaged in human smuggling using an official vehicle

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) reported that 73 terrorists have been neutralized in the last week during operations conducted in northern Iraq and Syria.

MSB Press and Public Relations Advisor Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk emphasized at a press briefing held at the Ministry that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are continuing their fight against all kinds of threats and dangers with increasing pressure, within the framework of a defense and security strategy that aims to eliminate threats at their source.

Regarding counter-terrorism operations, Aktürk stated: "With our strategy of destroying terrorism at its source, which we implement continuously and decisively, 73 terrorists have been neutralized in the last week, including in northern Iraq and Syria, and 1,725 since January 1, with 845 in northern Iraq and 880 in northern Syria."

Stating that the borders are being protected uninterruptedly with the most effective measures and multi-faceted security systems in the history of the Republic, Aktürk added:

"In the last week, 529 individuals attempting to cross the border illegally have been apprehended. 1,383 individuals were prevented from crossing the border. 11 of the apprehended individuals are members of a terrorist organization. Thus, the number of people apprehended while trying to cross our borders illegally since January 1 has risen to 8,336. The number of people prevented from crossing the border has reached 69,331. Additionally, within the past week, 1 PKK terrorist who fled from shelters in northern Iraq surrendered to our border outpost in Habur."

CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PEACE

Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces continue to successfully serve in different geographies within the scope of bilateral relations and international missions, support the just causes of friendly and allied countries, and make significant contributions to regional and global peace and stability.

Reminding that Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler met with Turkmenistan Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Begenç Gündogdiyev yesterday, Aktürk provided information that Minister Güler will also attend the fourth "High-Level Security Mechanism" meeting between Turkey and Iraq, which will be held in Ankara today.

Aktürk stated that the meeting will discuss areas of common cooperation between the two countries, primarily counter-terrorism and border security, military relations, and recent developments in the region.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT

Stating that the whole world continues to watch the massacres Israel has been committing for nearly 10 months and its dragging of the region into disaster, Aktürk said:

"Israel, which disregards international law and acts recklessly, has once again massacred more than a hundred innocent Palestinians who had taken refuge in a school building. New crimes against humanity are being added by Israel every day. The international community must stop Israel before more blood is shed and innocent people die, and must establish stability and peace in our region as soon as possible. Furthermore, we appreciate the efforts carried out under the mediation of the USA, Qatar, and Egypt to ensure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and we hope these efforts will be successfully concluded as soon as possible. We emphasize once again that for regional and international stability, it is essential to establish a sovereign, independent, and geographically integrated Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders."

TRAINING, EXERCISES, AND ACTIVITIES

Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that the TSK continues its training and exercise activities uninterruptedly, simultaneously with all the operations and duties it currently carries out.

Reminding that the "TCG Kınalıada" corvette, which is continuing its return voyage from Japan, paid port visits to Oman and Djibouti, Aktürk said that the corvette will visit Egypt's Alexandria Port between August 18-20 and will complete its 136-day voyage on August 21.

Aktürk stated that within the scope of Flexible Deterrence Options carried out by the NATO Allied Air Command as part of Enhanced Vigilance Activities, participation was provided with 2 F-16s and one tanker aircraft in the Integrated Air and Missile Defense activity conducted in Romanian airspace on August 8.

Rear Admiral Aktürk congratulated the Land Forces Command team, which became the champion, and the Special Forces Command team, which came in second, in the "8th European Best Sniper Team Competition" held in Germany between August 4-12 by the US Army Europe and Africa Command, with the participation of 19 countries and 36 teams.

FIGHTING NATURAL DISASTERS

Stating that the TSK continues to provide support in coordination with relevant institutions for humanitarian aid activities and the fight against disasters, especially forest fires, Aktürk said, "In this context, support has been provided to extinguish forest fires that have occurred in 20 separate locations to date by performing 1,079 sorties with 62 helicopters."

Emphasizing that the TSK is equipped with high-technology products of the domestic and national defense industry, and that its capabilities are increasing day by day, Aktürk said, "Inspection and acceptance activities for the 'M60 T Tank', 'Naval Type Remote Controlled Firing System (USAS)', and 'T-155 Self-Propelled Fırtına II Howitzer', which have been modernized in various quantities by our Land Forces Command, have been completed."

Ministry of National Defense sources also answered questions from members of the press after the briefing.

Regarding questions about what will be discussed at the "High-Level Security Mechanism" meeting with Iraq to be held in Ankara today, the sources stated:

"During the reception of the then-Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, who visited Turkey in May 2019, by our President, a consensus was reached on strengthening the legal basis for military and security cooperation between the two countries. It was envisaged that the negotiations in this context would be conducted by the foreign ministers, defense ministers, and intelligence chiefs of both countries, and the first meeting in this format was held in 2019. The second meeting of the cooperation platform, defined as the High-Level Security Mechanism, was held in Ankara on December 19, 2023, under the chairmanship of the foreign ministers of the two countries. As a result of this meeting, Iraq was ensured to define the terrorist organization PKK as a 'common threat' in a written text for the first time.

We continue our mutual discussions to make the cooperation between our countries in the fight against terrorism permanent. In this context, the fourth of the High-Level Security Mechanism meetings between our country and Iraq, the last of which was held in Baghdad, will be held in Ankara today. At the meeting, areas of common cooperation between the two countries, primarily counter-terrorism and border security, military relations, and recent developments in the region will be discussed."

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 16TH MAIN JET BASE COMMAND IN MUĞLA

Regarding questions about the establishment of the 16th Main Jet Base Command in Muğla/Dalaman and the Amphibious Corps in Çanakkale, Ministry sources said that force structure plans are constantly updated by taking into account the operational needs of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Stating that the 16th Main Jet Base Command was established in Dalaman in this context, the sources noted:

"Dalaman Air Base Command has been in service since 1985 and has fulfilled its duty in terms of military aviation. In order to increase the support provided to the developing aviation sector and to meet operational needs, the 16th Main Jet Base Command organization was approved by our Ministry and entered into force in 2024, as included in the Air Force Command's Force Structure Plan. As for the establishment of an Amphibious Corps in Çanakkale, such a decision was taken in accordance with the developing and strengthening force structure of our Naval Forces. The Amphibious Corps Command was established under the Naval Forces Command organization in order to reorganize the Marine Infantry Units at the Corps level, consisting of three brigades, and to use amphibious elements effectively in different regions."

STATEMENT ON RETIRED BRIGADIER GENERAL BİLAL ÇOKAY, WHO ENGAGED IN HUMAN SMUGGLING

Regarding questions about retired Brigadier General Bilal Çokay, who is being tried under arrest in connection with the human smuggling incident at the border using an official vehicle, Ministry sources expressed the following:

"As you know, the contracts of the specialist sergeants involved in the incident were terminated, and the orderly non-commissioned officer was dismissed from the TSK by the decision of the High Disciplinary Board. Retired Brigadier General Bilal Çokay, who was retired and subsequently arrested, has been referred to the High Disciplinary Board administratively, in addition to the ongoing judicial process, and the process is continuing. The decision to be taken after being discussed at the High Disciplinary Board will be shared with the public."

News Source: AA