LATEST NEWS: The Situation of PKK/YPG in Syria: New Leadership and Effects on the Terrorist Organization
National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar’s general evaluation speech is as follows:
Dear Press Members, our country, which has high strategic importance, is located right in the heart of the region surrounded by conflicts and disputes.
Starting from our close geography, we are going through a security environment where regional and global tensions are increasing, instability and uncertainty are at their peak.
In this critical period, our country is pursuing a comprehensive and effective defense and security policy that prioritizes security, peace, and stability.
The current security environment, which has become multi-dimensional and complex, and the chaotic developments in our region make it imperative for the Turkish Armed Forces to be always ready for operation, effective, and to strengthen its deterrent power.
In such a sensitive period, the Ministry of National Defense and the Turkish Armed Forces, whose duties and responsibilities have increased,
– Work tirelessly to ensure the defense and security of our country and noble nation against all threats and dangers,
– They carry out the most intense, comprehensive, and effective activities since our War of Independence,
– They raise the bar of success and effectiveness in the fight against terrorism, border security, and activities carried out domestically and abroad day by day.
TERROR FIGHT
As you know, the concept that the Armed Forces focus the most and spend the most energy and time on is the fight against terrorism.
With the change of concept in the fight against terrorism, we put into practice the understanding of “eliminating terrorism at its source.”
Instead of the “limited target and temporary” military operations carried out in the past, today we are hitting the terrorist organization hard with “continuous and comprehensive” operations.
With the operations carried out in a manner that meets the requirements of the field, unusual, unpredictable, fast and continuous principles, including the northern regions of Iraq and Syria, we have neutralized 2,939 terrorists since the beginning of this year.
In addition, 99 terrorists surrendered during the year. [9 large, 59 medium, over 100,000 small-scale operations have been carried out.]
We do not leave any place where our eyes do not see, our feet do not step, for the terrorist organization to scramble and increase its operational and movement capacity, and improve our dominance in the field every day.
Our ultimate goal is to eliminate all terrorist activities that threaten Turkey along our borders with Iraq and Syria at their source and completely remove the scourge of terrorism from the agenda of our nation.
In this context;
– I remember our esteemed martyrs and heroic veterans who have the greatest share in the successes achieved in the fight against terrorism with mercy and gratitude,
– I would like to thank and express my respect and gratitude to all the state elders, commanders, and Turkish Armed Forces personnel who have contributed to the fight against terrorism.
SYRIA DEVELOPMENTS
First of all, I would like to state that Turkey is the country that bears the most material, spiritual, social and communal burden of the events in Syria.
As you know, ISIS, followed by the PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG-SDG terrorist organization, tried to establish a terrorist state in the region by taking advantage of the power vacuum in Syria.
We prevented the terrorist organization in Syria with the operations we conducted and ensured the security of our borders. We created a safe and stable living space for the Syrian citizens living or displaced in the region.
We closely follow the latest developments in Syria with our counterparts since the beginning.
We support the unity and territorial integrity of Syria and attach great importance and priority to the fight against terrorism.
The recent developments and the situation that emerged; The problems arising from the opposition’s demands and the regime ignoring them, as well as the regime not taking the hand extended to it in goodwill, have not been resolved for a long time due to the internal dynamics of Syria.
Our country has not had any involvement in the activities of local elements in Syria before or at any stage.
Moreover; It is important to emphasize that the Syria National Army consists of Syrian opposition forces, is openly recognized as a party to the conflict in United Nations Security Council decisions, and is a part of the Syria Interim Government under the command of its Ministry of Defense.
In this context;
– We will not allow the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, which poses a serious threat to Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and our region, to take advantage of the uncertainty in the region,
– We want to make it clear once again about our attitude towards the fight against terrorist organizations in the region.
Now a new situation and reality has emerged in Syria.
The time has come for Syria to be a stable, democratic, and politically united prosperous country.
For this, we will provide all kinds of support for the acceptance of an inclusive constitution, the holding of free elections, the full normalization, and the establishment of a secure environment in Syria.
In this context, we believe that a permanent political solution will be reached in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 in Syria.
QUESTION-ANSWER SECTION
NEW GOVERNANCE IN SYRIA
The new administration that overthrows Assad stated in its first announcement that it would respect all government institutions, the United Nations, and other international organizations.
In addition, they emphasized that if they detect chemical weapons, they will transparently report the information they obtain to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
We believe that we should see what the new administration will do and give them a chance.
(Will there be military cooperation with the new administration in Syria?) We currently have Military Training and Cooperation Agreements with many countries. We are ready to provide the necessary support if the new administration requests it.
NEW PHASE IN SYRIA AND THE STATUS OF THE PKK/YPG TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
The U.S. had a certain policy in Syria until now, but the situation has changed.
Now, everyone has to accept the reality that has emerged whether they want it or not. In fact, one of the main sources of income for the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, which controls oil, Deyrizor, has come under the control of the opposition. Currently, the terrorist organization has been deprived of this source of income. After all, after the TUSAŞ attack, the facilities providing funding to the terrorists in northern Syria were destroyed. The organization is currently facing serious financial difficulties. In addition, Ferhat Abdi Şahin, the head of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, stated in his own television that, “We are in agreement with the new administration. In the areas we are present in Syria, no flag other than the new Syrian flag will be flown.” This message indicates that the terrorist organization is in search of saving itself in the new era. Neither the people of Syria, nor the new administration, nor we will allow the PKK/YPG terrorist organization to act alone and create space for itself. Our priority is the elimination of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization. We have clearly and openly stated this to our American friends. We expect them to re-evaluate their positions.
ELIMINATION OF THE PKK/YPG TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
In the new era, the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in Syria will be eliminated sooner or later. Both the new administration in Syria and we want this. Those from outside Syria who are members of the terrorist organization will leave Syria. The Kurds living in Iraq and Syria will lay down their arms.
We have no problem with our Kurdish brothers living in Iraq or Syria. Our problem is only and only with the terrorists. Our Syrian Kurdish brothers have also been subjected to oppression and persecution by the PKK/YPG terrorist organization. The PKK/YPG terrorists forcibly kidnap the children of the Kurds living there and bring them under their control at a young age. Families, uncomfortable with this situation, try to send their children to other countries to save them from the organization.
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK/YPG WEAPONS
We stated many times that we comply with the agreements we made in Syria, and our interlocutors must comply, and the heavy weapons in the hands of the terrorist organization should be collected.
Some of the weapons given by the U.S. have been used in conflicts or fallen into the hands of other groups, and some have been transferred by the terrorist organization to the north of Iraq. The terrorist organization, struggling to recruit personnel for the north of Iraq, tries to transfer personnel and equipment from Syria. However, those sent to the north of Iraq by Syria either surrender or escape from the organization very shortly because they do not know the region and are under pressure.
FIGHTING ISIS IN THE NEW ERA
We told the U.S., “Stop cooperating with the PKK/YPG terrorist organization. Let’s fight against ISIS together with the 3 commando brigades we will assign.” We even informed them that we could control the El-Hol camp where thousands of ISIS terrorists and their families are held. Despite this, our American friends remained silent on this issue and cooperated with the PKK/YPG terrorist organization under the guise of fighting ISIS.
We have always emphasized that one terrorist organization cannot be used to fight another terrorist organization. Therefore, the fight against terrorism cannot be done with terrorists. Also, in the last 3 years, has anyone heard about ISIS terrorists attacking in Syria? We don’t hear or see anything about ISIS right now.
RUSSIA’S SITUATION IN SYRIA
There is no definite evidence that Russia has completely withdrawn its forces from Syria. They may take some of their ships to Russia for maintenance and replacement. I do not think they will leave now. They will do everything they can to stay.
In fact, a Russian official stated that they will continue to stay in Syria and discussed this issue with the new administration. Russia has concentrated its various units located at different places in Syria in Tartus and Latakia. We have told them that we can provide the necessary support to them during this process. However, they did not have any demands from us on this issue.
After the recent developments in the region, every country has a game plan. We closely follow all developments related to defense and security and take all necessary precautions.
In addition, the claims that Bashar al-Assad fleeing from Syria uses our airspace are not true.
MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN DEFENSE MINISTERS REGARDING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
In light of the recent developments in Syria, we held meetings with our counterparts. We exchanged views on bilateral and regional defense and security issues, especially concerning Syria.
In these meetings, we reiterated our support for the unity and territorial integrity of Syria and our clear stance on the fight against terrorism.
We will continue our active efforts and initiatives for a safe, smooth, and peaceful completion of the political transition in Syria and the removal of terrorist elements from our border.
The situation of our units in Syria in the new era will be reevaluated according to the conditions.
THE STATUS OF THE SULEYMAN SHAH TOMB
We previously stated that we temporarily moved the Süleyman Şah Tomb from its place in the Karakozak village to the Syrian Esme village.
The issue of whether the tomb will be moved back to its old location in the Karakozak village will be evaluated later according to the situation in the field.
F-16/EUROFIGHTER, F-35/S-400
The process and technical negotiations for the purchase of 40 F-16s are ongoing.
Negotiations on the Eurofighter are also progressing positively. Two Eurofighters from the United Kingdom, which participated in a drill in Qatar, will arrive in Ankara on December 18, and we will have the opportunity to see the aircraft.
We have previously stated that we want to buy F-35s. We think that the positive atmosphere in the F-16 procurement process will also have an impact on the F-35 process.
We will discuss with the new administration in the U.S. about lifting the CAATSA sanctions, which are contrary to the spirit of alliance.
There is no change in our stance regarding the S-400.
HIGH DISCIPLINARY BOARD PROCESS ON LIEUTENANTS
Preservation and maintenance of institutional discipline in the Turkish Armed Forces are essential.
It is essential for us to maintain and maintain military discipline. We have repeatedly stated that we are looking at the event from the beginning in terms of discipline. The issue is not reading the annulment or saying “We are Mustafa Kemal’s soldiers”; it is making a deliberate, organized, and planned indiscipline despite the warnings of superiors.
The investigation conducted on the incident has no relation to the content or reasons for saying “We are Mustafa Kemal’s soldiers”, and the text read.
During the discipline investigation, no lieutenant was asked about the content of the text or why they said “We are Mustafa Kemal’s soldiers.” The important thing here is that irrespective of the content, the discipline process will always be handled in the same way and there will be no compromise on discipline.
The process of the High Discipline Board is ongoing. The board has not yet made a decision. It is not appropriate to make a definite opinion at this stage. Let’s all wait for the result together.
