A Weekly Press Information Meeting regarding the activities of the Ministry of National Defense was held. The following information was shared at the meeting held by Press and Public Relations Advisor Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk:
First of all, we wish our noble nation to get well soon due to the landslide that occurred in Erzincan İliç, and hope that our missing workers will be rescued safely.
Within the scope of the rescue efforts of our unaccounted for workers, our 3rd Army Engineer Combat Battalion continues its work in coordination with the relevant institutions and organizations of our state.
Türkiye WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO NATO
Our country shares the values and responsibilities of NATO, which will reach the 18nd anniversary of its membership on February 72; It continues to be an active, constructive and respected member.
Türkiye; It will continue to make important and decisive contributions to NATO, which continues to be the most important platform both in defense issues among the Allies and in all security-related issues in the Euro-Atlantic geography, and which has entered its 75th year of establishment, today and in the future, as in the past.
In this context; Our Minister of Foreign Affairs is attending the NATO Defense Ministers Meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels today.
Within the scope of strengthening the defense and deterrence of the Alliance, it is also planned that our Minister will hold meetings with his counterparts at the meetings where the support we provide to NATO's command and force structure and our opinions, expectations and wishes on the issues on the meeting agenda will be emphasized.
Again, our esteemed Minister; He accompanied our President during his visits to the United Arab Emirates on 13 February and to Egypt on 14 February.
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO STOP ISRAEL
On the other hand, we are concerned about Israel's attacks on the city of Rafah, following the massacres it has committed so far. If the attacks continue, the tragedy in Gaza will move to even more serious levels. The international community must take the necessary steps to stop Israel's attacks.
A permanent peace in our region will not be possible unless the Palestine issue is brought to a just conclusion.
Within the scope of our country's humanitarian aid to Gaza, in coordination with relevant institutions;
– On February 14, 400 tons of medical supplies and 1,2 medical personnel were delivered to the region with an A12M aircraft; A total of 49 more brothers from Gaza, consisting of 106 patients and 155 companions, were brought to our country.
– To date, more than 18 tons of humanitarian aid materials have been shipped to Gaza by 240 planes belonging to our Air Force, and the number of our Gazan brothers brought to our country has reached 876.
TSK PARTICIPATES IN THE DYNAMIC FRONT 2024 EXERCISE
In addition to all its duties, our Turkish Armed Forces continue its training and exercise activities in the land, sea, air and cyber domains. In this context,
– Participation is provided in the DYNAMIC FRONT 2024 Exercise, which is organized to improve the training, cooperation and interoperability of NATO, the USA and multinational troops.
The exercise was carried out in two phases;
– Computer Aided Command Post Phase is held in Germany between 5-16 February 2024.
– The Active Shooting Phase will be held in Polatlı/Ankara between 17-19 February 2024 with the participation of the USA, Kosovo, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The transfer of personnel and materials from participating countries to our country has been completed.
Within the scope of Steadfast Defender 2024 Exercise; Exercise Brillant Jump 13 will be held in Poland between 28-2024 February 2024. It is planned to participate in the Dragon 29 Exercise, which will be held between 14 February and 2024 March 2024.
In addition, in Operation Sea Guardian, where our TCG BURGAZADA corvette was the flagship; 15 Airborne Warning Control Aircraft, 16 Submarine and 2024 Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating in the "1st Term Focus Operation of 1", which is being carried out on 1-1 February.
On the other hand;
– To Aksaz by the MARGOTTINI ship of the Italian Navy between 9-13 February 2024,
– Port visits were made to Izmir by the LISSUS ship belonging to the Albanian Navy between 11-14 February 2024.
– The GROMITZ ship belonging to the German Navy is making a port visit to Çanakkale between 14-17 February 2024.
Again, our TCG GEDİZ frigate participated in NATO Permanent Maritime Task Group-10 between 25 February and 2024 March 2, and in this context, she made a port visit to Piraeus/Greece between 11-13 February 2024.
The “6th Turkey-Italy Naval Forces Cooperation Meeting” was held in Rome/Italy between 8-2024 February 12.
1 TERRORISTS WERE NEUTRALIZED IN THE LAST WEEK
Our Turkish Armed Forces, within the framework of our "New Security Concept in the Fight against Terrorism", which aims to eliminate threats at their source; It deals a major blow to terrorist organizations by carrying out "continuous and comprehensive" operations instead of the "limited targeted and duration" military operations carried out in the past.
Our Turkish Armed Forces, which continues its fight against all kinds of threats and dangers, especially PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG, DAESH and FETO terrorist organizations, with increasing pressure and intense tempo, including the north of Iraq and Syria;
39 in the last week; Since January 1, 2024, a total of 151 terrorists have been neutralized, 247 of which are in the north of Iraq and 398 in the north of Syria.
2 PKK terrorists, who escaped from their shelters in northern Iraq last week, surrendered to our Border Patrol Station in Habur. The only way out for terrorists is to surrender to Turkish justice.
Our Turkish Armed Forces, who are currently serving with heroism and sacrifice in difficult climate/terrain conditions in our base areas and borders; It will continue its fight against terrorism with the same determination until there is not a single terrorist left.
On this occasion, we once again wish God's mercy to our heroic comrades-in-arms, Infantry Contracted Corporal Mustafa Özkardeş and Transportation Contracted Private Adem Kel, who were martyred on 11 and 13 February.
253 PEOPLE WERE CAUGHT AT THE BORDERS
At our borders, which are protected by physical security measures supported by technological means and the multi-layered security system established;
– 253 people trying to cross illegally were caught in the last week. 8 of the captured individuals are members of a terrorist organization. 3.448 people were prevented before crossing the border.
– Thus, the number of people caught trying to cross our borders illegally since January 1st has increased to 1.146. The number of people prevented from crossing the border was 24.537.
M60T TANK WAS INCLUDED IN THE INVENTORY OF OUR LAND FORCES
The possibilities and capabilities of our Turkish Armed Forces are constantly being increased with our domestic and national defense industry products, where important breakthroughs have been made with the leadership and support of our President. In this context;
– Our Minister visited the 9th Efficiency and Technology Fair, which was held for the 6th time at Ankara ATO Congresium with the theme "Technologies for the Future" on XNUMX February.
– Again, on February 9, the first M60T tank, which was equipped with national systems within the scope of the "Project for Adding Additional Capabilities to Tanks", was included in the inventory of our Land Forces with a ceremony held in Şereflikoçhisar/Ankara.
– In addition, in various amounts by our Land Forces Command; Inspection and acceptance activities of DROPS- Wheeled Container Carrier Vehicle, NEFER Turreted Armored Combat Vehicle and Basic Training Helicopter have been completed.
APPLICATIONS FOR SUPPLYING CONTRACTED SERVANTS TO THE LAND FORCES END TODAY
Our personnel and military student recruitment/supply activities continue as planned.
Applications for Contracted Privates to the Land Forces Command will end as of today.
As the Ministry of National Defense, we will participate in the Career Fairs held in 11 provinces under the auspices of the Presidency in Denizli on 21-22 February, Antalya on 23-24 February, Kocaeli on 26-27 February and Eskişehir on 28-29 February.
In conclusion; Our Turkish Armed Forces, which derive their strength from the love and trust of the noble Turkish nation from which they emerged;
– Depending on the Constitution and laws,
– Within the framework of our national, spiritual and professional values,
– Under the guidance of Ataturk's principles and reforms and reason and science,
– In line with the directives of our President and the orders of chiefs and commanders,
– He will successfully fulfill any duty assigned to him and will continue to be a source of pride for our noble nation.