29.10.2026 14:14
The Ministry of National Defense welcomed the approval by the Libyan House of Representatives of the maritime jurisdiction areas memorandum, and announced that it is ready to sign a similar agreement with Egypt as well. The Ministry announced that if a memorandum is concluded with Turkey, it will gain more than 15,000 square kilometers of maritime jurisdiction area compared to Greece.
The Ministry of National Defense's Weekly Press Briefing was held. Answering the questions of press members after the meeting, Ministry sources made statements regarding developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the latest situation in Iraq's Sinjar region.
Evaluating the approval by Libya's House of Representatives on October 20, 2026, of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas signed between Türkiye and Libya in 2019, the sources stated that this step supported Türkiye's approach based on the principles of international law and equity.
“WE ARE READY TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH EGYPT”
Emphasizing that the legitimate rights of coastal states in the Eastern Mediterranean must be protected, Ministry sources called on Egypt to sign an agreement on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas.
The statement included the following:
“In this framework, we once again emphasize that we are ready to sign an Agreement on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas with Egypt in line with mutual interests. If Egypt signs such an agreement with our country, it is assessed that it will have more than 15 thousand square kilometers of maritime jurisdiction area compared to a possible agreement it could make with Greece.”
While it was stated that Türkiye will continue to protect its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of international law, its determination to contribute to regional peace, security and stability was emphasized.
DEVELOPMENTS IN SINJAR ARE BEING CLOSELY FOLLOWED
Also touching upon the steps of the Iraqi Central Government to re-establish state authority in Sinjar, Ministry sources reported that they welcomed the normalization process in the region.
The statement said, “Ending the presence of terrorist organizations in the region and ensuring security by Iraq's official security forces is an important development in terms of establishing permanent peace and stability in Sinjar and the goal of a terror-free region.”
It was stated that the process is being closely followed in coordination with the relevant state institutions.
422 PEOPLE CAUGHT IN THE LAST WEEK
Information was also provided on the Turkish Armed Forces' counter-terrorism activities. It was announced that 2 PKK terrorists surrendered in the last week.
Within the scope of border security, it was reported that 422 people, one of whom was a member of a terrorist organization, were caught in the last week, and 957 people were prevented from crossing the border.
Thus, since January 1, the number of those caught while trying to cross the border illegally has reached 14,629, and the number of those prevented has reached 57,855.
TÜRKİYE HAS TAKEN OVER THE DEPUTY COMMANDER POSITION IN KFOR
In the statement regarding the TAF's international activities, it was reported that the position of Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Peace Force (KFOR) was taken over by Türkiye as of October 27 for one year.
It was stated that representatives of the Naval Forces and ASFAT visited Latakia with TCG Bora on October 22 in order to develop the capabilities of the Syrian Naval Forces.
It was announced that the 3rd Türkiye-Azerbaijan Land Forces Cooperation Meeting is ongoing in Azerbaijan, and a similar meeting with Albania will be held in Türkiye on November 2-5.
Within the scope of Türkiye-Greece Confidence-Building Measures, it was announced that the Commander of the Greek Tactical Air Force will visit Türkiye on November 3-5.
NEW SYSTEMS IN THE TAF INVENTORY
Within the scope of developments in the defense industry, it was reported that the acceptance activities of various quantities of Karayel Keeled Boats and Wired Kamikaze-2 Unmanned Ground Vehicles by the Land Forces Command have been completed.
It was stated that the delivery of the MAM-15 sniper rifle was carried out by the Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE), and that participation in the Euronaval Fair in Paris will be ensured on November 3-6.
ON OCTOBER 29, 29 SHIPS WILL VISIT 29 PORTS
Events to be held on the occasion of the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic were also mentioned.
Within the scope of the October 29 Republic Day, it was announced that 29 ships belonging to the Naval Forces will visit 29 ports, the Turkish Stars will perform a salute flight over Anıtkabir, and SOLOTÜRK will perform a demonstration flight in Eskişehir.
It was also reported that military museums will be open free of charge to citizens on October 29.
Intelligence Colonel Sayit Gökgöz, who was martyred in the military vehicle accident that occurred in Ankara on October 24, was also commemorated at the meeting.
It was announced that the classification results of non-commissioned officers, privates and reserve officer/non-commissioned officer candidates who will be enlisted in the November-December 2026 and January 2027 conscription periods have been announced via e-Devlet.