02.02.2026 11:55
Turkey's fight against terrorism has now also moved to digital platforms. The strategic communication and counter-disinformation efforts led by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications have targeted the digital propaganda networks of FETÖ and YPG. As a result of digital monitoring and advanced network analyses, it has been legally established that hundreds of social media accounts linked to FETÖ and the organization have systematically engaged in terrorist propaganda and produced disinformation.
As the understanding of international security changes, Turkey has also moved its fight against terrorism to digital platforms. The strategic communication and counter-disinformation efforts led by the Presidency of Communications have targeted digital propaganda networks originating from FETÖ and YPG.
The concept of security in the international system has gone beyond classical military threat definitions. Today, states must protect not only their land, air, and sea territories but also digital spaces, perception areas, and social psychology. This transformation has fundamentally changed the methods of terrorist organizations.
According to experts, terrorist organizations with weakened armed capacities in the field are positioning the digital realm as a strategic operational area. These structures aim to influence public opinion and discredit the legitimate policies of states by systematically producing disinformation through social media and digital platforms.
DIGITAL STRUCTURE OF FETÖ AND YPG
One of the most striking examples of this transformation is shown as FETÖ. After the significant dismantling of its physical presence, the organization turned to digital platforms, transforming disinformation into an organizational activity. The aim of these activities, conducted through fake identities, anonymous accounts, and organized interaction networks, is not to generate intellectual debate but to create distrust in the public and deepen societal vulnerabilities during crisis periods.
A similar method is also used by the terrorist organization YPG, which operates in the Syrian theater. Turkey's legitimate security measures arising from international law are being distorted, especially towards the Western public, through digital propaganda networks affiliated with YPG. However, it is noted that these recent attempts have been met with resistance.
PRESIDENCY OF COMMUNICATIONS IN ACTION
At this point, the qualitative transformation in Turkey's institutional capacity stands out. The Presidency of Communications has become a central state actor producing policies in the fields of strategic communication, digital security, and perception management, going beyond merely being a communication coordination unit.
Thanks to the efforts carried out within the framework of inter-institutional coordination, a holistic state reflex against digital threats has been developed.
As a result of digital monitoring and advanced network analyses conducted in this context, it has been legally established that hundreds of social media accounts linked to FETÖ and the organization are systematically conducting terrorist propaganda and producing disinformation. Following these detections, access restrictions and judicial processes targeting these digital networks that threaten national security were initiated simultaneously in coordination with the relevant institutions.
Officials emphasize that this step demonstrates that the digital realm is no longer seen as a "gray area" and that the law is being applied decisively in this field as well.
"NO TOLERANCE ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS"
Recent evaluations by the President of Communications, Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran, reveal Turkey's multi-layered security understanding adopted in the fight against terrorism. This approach, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, clearly indicates that military successes in the field are complemented by a narrative struggle in the digital realm and that no tolerance will be shown to any terrorist organization or its affiliates, including on digital platforms.
DMM AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
In this process, the Disinformation Combat Center (DMM) has become an important element of Turkey's public diplomacy capacity. Thanks to DMM's rapid verification mechanisms and real-time information efforts, especially in recent days, dirty propaganda content produced by YPG and affiliated circles is being neutralized before it spreads.
It is noted that these efforts are not only aimed at the domestic public but also reflect Turkey's will to maintain narrative superiority in the international arena.
MASKED DIGITAL STRUCTURES ARE BEING DECRYPTED
Officials state that advanced digital network analyses conducted recently have also decrypted masked structures that present themselves as "independent analysts," "reporters," "intelligence agents," or "experts," and that operations targeting digital networks threatening national security have been deepened.
PERCEPTION AREA IS ALSO A SECURITY DOMAIN
According to expert evaluations, the digital realm is now seen as a competitive field targeting not only individual freedom of expression but also the international legitimacy of states. It is clearly stated in international law and public diplomacy literature that activities that legitimize violence and circulate the narratives of terrorist organizations cannot be evaluated within the scope of freedom of expression.
The strategic communication and digital security architecture built by Turkey transforms public diplomacy from a defensive reflex into a proactive policy tool. The multilingual and target-oriented campaigns carried out by the Presidency of Communications within the scope of digital diplomacy increase the visibility of Turkey's theses in the global public.
Experts agree that this approach is not a temporary measure for digital homeland defense but has become a permanent part of Turkey's security and foreign policy doctrine.