Ministry of National Defense issues statement on SDF ahead of Erdoğan-Trump meeting

The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) announced that the terrorist organization Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is not acting in accordance with the memorandum it signed with the Syrian Government on March 10, 2025, and that this situation poses a threat to regional peace.

This statement was made while AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was traveling from New York to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump. Developments in Syria are also expected to be discussed during the meeting between Erdoğan and Trump.

In the statement made by the Ministry of National Defense, it was said, "It has once again clearly emerged that the SDF terrorist organization is not acting in accordance with the memorandum it signed with the Syrian Government on March 10, 2025, and that it poses a threat to regional peace and stability."

Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Advisor and Ministry Spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk made evaluations regarding the agenda at the weekly press briefing.

Expressing that they gathered at a meaningful place on the occasion of the anniversary of the Preveze Naval Victory and Navy Day, Rear Admiral Aktürk said, "We are already celebrating the 487th anniversary of the Preveze Naval Victory, which showed the power of the Turkish Navy to the whole world, and Navy Day, and we commemorate Kaptan-ı Derya Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, our glorious ancestors, and all our martyrs and veterans with mercy and gratitude. On September 27, due to the Anniversary of the Preveze Naval Victory and Navy Day, a 'Naval Parade' will be held in the Bosphorus with 15 ships, and 8 port visits will be made with 8 ships, and the ships will be opened to the public for visits."

"622 KILOMETERS OF TUNNELS RENDERED UNUSABLE"

Providing information regarding the Turkish Armed Forces' counter-terrorism activities, Aktürk announced that one more PKK terrorist surrendered in the last week. Stating that shelters, caves, and hideouts detected in the operation zones, especially in Operation Claw-Lock, were destroyed, Aktürk used the following expressions:

"In the last week; together with the 17 kilometers of tunnels destroyed, including 10 in Tel Rifaat and 7 in Manbij, the length of tunnels destroyed in the Syrian Operation Areas has reached 622 (Tel Rifaat: 250 / Manbij: 372) kilometers."

He also reported that 312 people, 4 of whom were members of the terrorist organization, were caught while trying to cross the borders illegally, and 833 people were prevented before they could cross. With these figures, the total number of people caught since January 1 has reached 6,989, and the number of those prevented has reached 51,141. It was also reported that approximately 1.5 kilograms of narcotics were seized during searches conducted on the Van border line.

"WE WELCOME THE DECISION OF A GROUP OF COUNTRIES TO RECOGNIZE PALESTINE"

Touching upon the ongoing attacks in Gaza, Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that the humanitarian crisis is worsening day by day.

Furthermore, stating that they welcome the decision of some countries, including members of the UN Security Council, to recognize Palestine, he emphasized that they hope these decisions will accelerate the two-state solution process. Aktürk said, "We call on the international community not to be content with these positive developments and to take active measures against Israel, which is trying to make the establishment of the State of Palestine impossible and is adding new ones to its reckless attacks against regional countries every day."

SDF STATEMENT

Answering journalists' questions at the meeting, MSB sources also touched upon the latest developments in Syria:

"Contacts between the Syrian Government and the SDF terrorist organization are being followed with attention and sensitivity. Finally, the attacks on Syrian government forces in the countryside of Manbij and Aleppo have once again clearly revealed that the SDF terrorist organization is not acting in accordance with the memorandum it signed with the Syrian Government on March 10, 2025, and that it poses a threat to regional peace and stability. Turkey is determined to continue close cooperation with the Syrian government, especially in the fight against terrorist organizations, for the stability and security of Syria and the peace of our region, and to support the 'One State, One Army' principle."

VISITS BY SYRIAN COMMANDERS

Making an evaluation regarding the Ankara visit of the Naval Forces Commander following the Syrian Air Force Commander, the sources made the following statement:

"We had stated that we would provide all kinds of support, regardless of land, sea, or air, for the development of the defense and security capacity of the new government established in Syria. With the Memorandum of Understanding we signed in August, mutual visits have gained momentum. Training and visits will continue reciprocally. The visits of the commanders are also being carried out within this scope."

INCIDENT AT THE BORDER OUTPOST IN HATAY

The issue of soldiers serving at a border outpost in Hatay facing an investigation after giving water to village children had come to the agenda. It was alleged that the depot officer non-commissioned officer at the outpost received a salary deduction penalty due to "disobedience to orders."

MSB sources gave the following response to questions regarding these allegations:

"The incident in question is not about giving water to children as reflected in the public opinion; it is about behaviors that do not comply with the understanding of discipline and fall within the scope of military crimes. It is a fact known by everyone that all personnel serving in the Turkish Armed Forces act with an understanding that prioritizes humanitarian values. This understanding has a deep-rooted place in the customs and traditions of our Turkish Armed Forces, which possess thousands of years of national, spiritual, and professional values. As we have emphasized before, our Turkish Armed Forces look at all events within the framework of discipline and carry out procedures within the framework of the relevant legislation."

News Source: 12punto