31.12.2025 19:40
Speaking to the Mehmetçik at the Artillery and Missile School Command in Polatlı, Ankara, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler stated, "It is now an indispensable necessity for the success of the process that the SDG fulfills its obligations in accordance with the March 10 Agreement as soon as possible. I would like to remind once again that we will not allow any terrorist organization, especially the PKK/YPG/SDG, to continue its activities in the region or to create any fait accompli."
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler met with Mehmetçik by conducting inspections and evaluations at the Artillery and Missile School Command in Polatlı, Ankara, on the last day of 2025.
According to a statement from the ministry, Güler was accompanied by Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Navy Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, and Army Commander General Metin Tokel.
"THE ARMED FORCES ARE THE STRONGEST GUARANTEE OF OUR COUNTRY'S SECURITY"
Addressing Mehmetçik here, Minister Güler said: "On the occasion of the New Year, I want to express that we are particularly happy to be together with you, our heroic artillerymen, in our Artillery and Missile School Command, alongside our esteemed Chief of General Staff and valuable Force Commanders."
We are leaving behind the year 2025, which we spent with very comprehensive and intense activities for the defense and security of our country, and we are excited to enter the year 2026 with the same determination and motivation. On this occasion, we wish you a Happy New Year with our heartfelt wishes.
In 2025, a year in which many critical developments occurred in the international security architecture, especially in our close geography, our heroic army has worked with great dedication to ensure the security of our noble nation and our country, fulfilling every duty it undertook with determination, resolve, and success.
Our Turkish Armed Forces are the strongest guarantee of our country's security with their deep-rooted history, unwavering discipline, and high combat capability. At the core of this strong structure are qualified human resources, an effective training approach, and doctrines suitable for the requirements of the age.
"ARTILLERY AND MISSILE SYSTEMS ENHANCE THE STRENGTH OF OUR ARMY"
Our Artillery and Missile School Command fulfills an exceptional duty as one of the most strategic training centers of this structure, shaping the firepower of our Land Forces and training the commanders and expert personnel of the future.
The modern warfare environment necessitates long range, high precision, and rapid decision-making capability. In such an environment, our artillery and missile elements are one of the decisive factors not only as combat support elements but also for deterrence, operational effectiveness, and success on the field.
You are growing aware of this responsibility with the qualified training you receive here, combining the striking power of the heroic Turkish army with knowledge, discipline, and technology. The domestic production and technological depth we achieve in our artillery and missile systems enhance the strength of our army.
As the Ministry of National Defense, our priority is to ensure that our personnel are trained under the best conditions, continuously improve our training infrastructure, and integrate the capabilities of our domestic and national defense industry into the training processes to the maximum extent.
"A NEW ERA HAS BEGUN TO STRENGTHEN OUR INTERNAL FRONT"
The importance of having a strong and deterrent army is better understood in the face of the threats and dangers posed by the sensitive developments we have experienced. In an environment where security issues are of such importance, a new era has also begun to strengthen our unity and solidarity and to fortify our internal front, alongside the military measures we have taken.
In this context, I would like to emphasize that the year 2025 has been a critical turning point where concrete results of the Turkish Armed Forces' resolute fight against terrorism have been achieved.
While we have significantly limited the mobility of terrorist organizations through effective operations conducted both domestically and across borders, we have also seriously weakened their capabilities based on shelter, logistics, and human resources.
The successes we have achieved have created the ground for the launch of the "Terror-Free Turkey" goal. The stage we have reached is the result of a struggle won at a heavy cost.
Undoubtedly, the main architects of this success are all the valuable members of the Turkish army, especially our dear martyrs and heroic veterans.
Similarly, the struggle of our heroic intelligence organization, our brave gendarmerie, police officers, and heroic village guards, along with the support and solidarity of our noble nation, has greatly contributed to reaching this stage.
"WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO CREATE A FACT ON THE GROUND"
During this process, the establishment of a terrorist corridor along our borders has not been allowed, and the military superiority we have achieved on the ground has been supported by diplomatic collaborations. The strong relationships we have established with the new administration in neighboring Syria, as well as the cooperation mechanisms we have established with Iraq, have greatly contributed to strengthening the common security understanding.
Now, it is essential for the success of the process that the SDG fulfills its obligations in accordance with the March 10 Agreement without delay.
The stance of our state on this matter is clear, and there is no room for doubt. I would like to remind once again that we will not allow any terrorist organization, especially PKK/YPG/SDG, to continue their activities in the region or to create any facts on the ground.
Currently, we are managing the process cautiously and rationally in close dialogue with the Syrian administration and in coordination with our relevant institutions. Our ultimate goal is to end terrorism, completely eliminate terrorist organizations, and eliminate all threats against our country, which is the common wish of our 86 million citizens.
"OUR DETERMINATION TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS IN CYPRUS, THE AEGEAN, AND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN IS STRONG"
In addition to our successes in the fight against terrorism and border security, we are successfully continuing our activities in a wide area extending from the Black Sea to the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, protecting our rights and interests in our Blue and Sky Homeland with determination and resolve.
In this context, I would like to express that we always desire to maintain good relations with our neighbor Greece and to find solutions to our problems with a "win-win" understanding. While we express this constructive attitude on every occasion, our determination and capability to protect our rights against attempts to create faits accomplis and unlawful steps in Cyprus, the Aegean, and the Eastern Mediterranean is absolute. No step or fait accompli will ever be allowed "against Turkey."
"OUR UNDERSTANDING OF 'STATE ETERNAL' PLACES A SACRED RESPONSIBILITY ON US"
Turkey, which always respects international law, has become a sought-after member of negotiation tables and security architecture with the initiatives it has undertaken for regional and global peace.
In a period when our country is so active, our Turkish Armed Forces are also making exceptional contributions to peace and stability within the framework of international duties and missions.
In this context;
- From supporting the just causes of our Cypriot brothers to the strong cooperation with our dear Azerbaijan,
- From our command of KFOR in Kosovo to joint activities in Qatar,
- From our military advisory and training activities in Libya to our intensive efforts in Somalia, we continue our work as a reassuring, balancing, and stabilizing force in many regions.
All these activities enhance our country's strength, instill confidence in friendly and allied countries, and serve as a balancing element in oppressed geographies.
It is a fact that our understanding of "State Eternal" places a sacred responsibility on us. I sincerely believe that with this awareness of responsibility, our distinguished personnel will continue to serve with determination, discipline, and sacrifice to contribute to our country's security and stronger future in the new year.
As I conclude my words, I respectfully commemorate all our state leaders and commanders from Mete Han to Sultan Alparslan, from Fatih Sultan Mehmet to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and all those who have served until today.
I remember our dear martyrs and heroic veterans who have passed away with mercy and gratitude, and I extend my respect and gratitude to our veterans and the precious families of our martyrs and veterans.
With these feelings and thoughts, I wish superior success in their duties to all my comrades in arms and colleagues currently on duty, and I kiss each of their eyes.
Dear Friends,
I once again congratulate your new year with my heartfelt wishes, and I wish you all health and well-being together with your families. Stay healthy.