05.06.2025 14:02
The Ministry of National Defense strongly reacted to the Hellenic map presented by Greek Chief of General Staff Dimitrios Hupis to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, which depicts Istanbul and Thrace as Greek territories. The statement included the phrase, "The instrumentalization of the past to convey a message is nothing more than a nostalgic consolation."
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On the 572nd anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul, the Chief of General Staff of Greece, Dimitrios Hupis, gifted a Helen map that depicts Istanbul and Thrace as Greek territories to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The map was clearly shared on the official website and social media accounts of the Greek General Staff. The scandalous map gifted by Chief of General Staff Hupis was met with immediate reaction from the Ministry of National Defense. In a statement, sources from the Ministry of National Defense said, "The instrumentalization of the past to convey a message is merely a nostalgic consolation. We invite those who attempt to disrupt the constructive approaches put forth by the leaders of the two countries and to sow discord between the Turkish and Greek peoples for political gain to abandon nostalgic consolations and to see, understand, and accept the realities."
DETAILS THAT CAUGHT ATTENTION IN THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE'S STATEMENT
In the statement regarding the weekly briefing of the Ministry of National Defense, striking expressions were included. Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that the ongoing operations, search-and-rescue, and border security activities of the Turkish Armed Forces continue, saying, "In the last week, 4 PKK terrorists who escaped from the northern areas of Iraq have surrendered, and 112 individuals, including one member of a terrorist organization, attempting to cross our borders illegally have been captured. Since January 1, the number of those caught while trying to cross illegally has reached 2,447, and with the 1,192 individuals prevented in the last week, the total number of those prevented this year has reached 36,003. In the Syrian Operation Areas, as part of the 'tunnel destruction' activities that have been ongoing since January 8, a total of 146 kilometers of tunnels in the Tel Rifat region and 124 kilometers in the Menbic region have been destroyed to date," he stated.
Aktürk emphasized that the Turkish Armed Forces continue to make significant contributions to regional and global security, peace, and stability within the framework of responsibilities undertaken on international platforms and bilateral relations, recalling that Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler went to Belgium for the NATO Defense Ministers Meeting. "On June 4, our Minister, who visited our Permanent Representation at NATO Headquarters and the Turkish Military Delegation in Brussels/Belgium for the NATO Defense Ministers Meeting, participated in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting attended by nearly 50 country representatives on the same day, expressing to the counterparts that we are ready to work for a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine, and signed the 'Electromagnetic Warfare Coalition Letter of Intent' together with NATO Defense Ministers. Today (June 5), our Minister, who participated in the 'NATO Defense Ministers Meeting,' stated that as a country with the second-largest army in the Alliance, the support we provide to NATO's deterrence and defense posture, as well as its command and force structure, can be maintained through the development of deterrent capabilities for peace and stability, and that it is crucial to lift export restrictions and other obstacles among Allies. He particularly emphasized that the decision of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization to dissolve itself and lay down arms is an important development, and we will not allow the process to be sabotaged or prolonged," he said.
"ISRAEL IS PREVENTING HUMANITARIAN AID FROM REACHING GAZA"
Aktürk reported that the Israeli government continues to intensify its unlawful attacks and expand its occupations, stating that Israel, which harms the stability and peace of the region with its attacks on Syria and Lebanon, continues to obstruct humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza. He pointed out that the Turkish Armed Forces continue their activities aimed at increasing the effectiveness and deterrence of the Turkish Armed Forces with weapons and systems produced by the domestic and national defense industry, saying, "Various amounts of 35 mm Modernized Towed Howitzers, Fire Control Devices, Armored Anti-Tank Vehicles (UMTAS CİRİT/Tracked), and TRLG-230 Laser Guided Missiles have been accepted into the inventory after inspection and acceptance activities have been completed by our Land Forces Command."
Sources from the Ministry of National Defense stated the following regarding Turkey's preparedness for drone attacks after Ukraine's drone attack against Russia: "In the constantly changing battlefield, countries are developing new techniques and tactics along with the advancement of technology. Our Turkish Armed Forces are closely monitoring the changes and transformations in the nature of war that have occurred with the Russia-Ukraine war, and continue to strengthen the defense infrastructure with domestically produced high-tech manned and unmanned weapon systems based on the lessons learned." Regarding the news that Turkey has delivered Atak and General Purpose Helicopters to Somalia, sources from the Ministry of National Defense stated, "Our training, assistance, and consultancy activities aimed at ensuring security and stability in the Federal Republic of Somalia continue under the existing agreements between the two countries. In this context, these are standard measures we have taken to prevent potential terrorist activities that may occur, especially regarding joint economic activities, and to ensure the self-security of our units and elements in the region."
"WE INVITE YOU TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE REALITIES"
In response to questions regarding the controversial map given by the Greek Chief of General Staff to the Patriarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, sources from the Ministry of National Defense stated, "The instrumentalization of the past to convey a message is merely a nostalgic consolation. We invite those who attempt to disrupt the constructive approaches put forth by the leaders of the two countries and to sow discord between the Turkish and Greek peoples for political gain to abandon nostalgic consolations and to see, understand, and accept the realities."
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