28.08.2025 22:12
Ministry of National Defense (MSB) sources announced that the 2025 Military Academy Graduation Ceremony will be held as a joint ceremony at the Land Forces Academy, due to President Erdoğan's travel abroad on August 31. MSB sources denied claims regarding the expulsion of students from the school and stated that for each graduate, a quota of 4 family members has been allocated in response to allegations that the number of families attending the ceremony is limited.
The Press and Public Relations Advisor of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry Spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk celebrated the 103rd anniversary of the Great Victory, Victory Day on August 30, and the Turkish Armed Forces Day during his speech at the weekly press briefing held at the ministry. Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk responded to allegations regarding the graduation ceremony of the National Defense University (MSU) Military Academies.
WHY WILL THERE BE ONLY ONE CEREMONY AT THE MILITARY ACADEMIES? Ministry sources also answered questions regarding why there will be a single ceremony at the Army Military Academy for the lieutenants graduating from the National Defense University (MSU) this year.
Pointing out that there are various speculations in the media and social media on this issue, ministry sources made the following assessment regarding the allegations raised:
"The 2025 Military Academies Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Army Military Academy with a joint ceremony, rather than separately, due to our esteemed President's trip abroad on August 31."
ARE STUDENTS BEING DISTANCED FROM SCHOOL FOR PRECAUTIONARY REASONS IN THE EVENINGS? The military students who will graduate and be on duty at the ceremony have joined the Army Military Academy on August 17, 2025. Rehearsals planned between August 18-29 are conducted at the time the ceremony will take place. After the rehearsals, considering the needs and requests of the military students, daily leave is granted to those in need between 19:00 and 23:30. Those who wish can go out, and those who want to rest can stay at the Military Academy.
CLAIM THAT REHEARSALS WILL END ON AUGUST 28 It is not the case that rehearsals will end on August 28 and that lieutenants will be distanced from the school until August 30; a general rehearsal will be conducted on August 29. In other words, rehearsals are conducted daily between August 18-29. The capacity of the Army Military Academy ceremony area, which was 4,000, has been increased to 6,000 with the expansion works.
WILL FAMILIES ATTENDING THE CEREMONY BE LIMITED? Since a total of 1,405 military students will graduate from the Army Military Academy, Naval Military Academy, and Air Military Academy, a quota has been allocated for each graduate to have four family members in accordance with the capacity. To ensure the quick and secure entry of invited families, the identity information of the invited families has been uploaded to the system, and entry will be facilitated using a barcode system. After the ceremony, meeting places for the families of the graduating lieutenants have been planned, and these places have been decorated with posters. Families will be able to take photos with the lieutenants and spend time together. Additionally, refreshments will be provided to the families here.
CLAIMS THAT STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MEET WITH THEIR FAMILIES AFTER THE CEREMONY Families attending the ceremony will not have their mobile phones collected. Claims that families' mobile phones will be collected are not true. As a result, the allegations containing incorrect and incomplete information regarding the arrangements made to facilitate the ceremony's operation due to it being a joint ceremony do not reflect the truth and are intended to mislead the public and undermine the reputation of the Turkish Armed Forces.
ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD FOR VICTORY DAY AND TSK DAY Providing information about the activities to be held for Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day, Aktürk stated that, in this context, a parade will be held in Ankara, and the Naval Forces will conduct public port visits with 24 ships at 24 ports.
Aktürk mentioned that on August 30, SOLOTÜRK will perform at Anıtkabir, and the Turkish Stars teams will conduct demonstration flights in Kütahya, while combat aircraft will fly over Eskişehir, Manisa, Konya, Kocaeli, Kahramanmaraş, and Mersin.
He also stated that military museums will be open for free visits on August 30, inviting all citizens to experience the pride and enthusiasm of Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day together. Furthermore, he wished success to all personnel who will be promoted as of August 30 in their new ranks and duties, and thanked the members who will retire for their services, wishing them a healthy life.
"THE LENGTH OF THE DESTROYED TUNNELS HAS REACHED 556 KILOMETERS" Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces, which work tirelessly for the defense and security of Turkey, continue their duties and activities on a 24/7 basis to establish permanent security, noting that "In the last week, two PKK terrorists who escaped from the shelters have surrendered, and a large number of weapons, ammunition, and various materials seized in caves, shelters, and hideouts belonging to terrorists identified in operation areas, especially in Pençe-Kilit, have been rendered unusable. As part of the ongoing tunnel destruction activities in the Syrian Operation Areas, the length of tunnels destroyed has reached 556 kilometers, including an 8-kilometer tunnel destroyed in the Menbic region in the last week."
Emphasizing that border security activities continue uninterrupted under challenging climate and terrain conditions, Aktürk stated:
"Throughout the week, 395 individuals, including 5 members of terrorist organizations, have been captured while attempting to cross our borders illegally, and 976 individuals have been prevented from crossing the border. Thus, since January 1, the number of those caught while attempting to cross our borders illegally has reached 5,508, and the number of individuals prevented from crossing the border has reached 47,857. Additionally, during the search and screening activities conducted along the border lines of Van and Iğdır this week, a total of 166 kilograms of narcotic substances have been seized."
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CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PEACE Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces continues to make effective contributions to regional and global peace and stability, in addition to national security, and said:
"In line with our inclusive and stability-promoting policy in Libya, in order to develop our relations with both the Eastern and Western sides of Libya, our corvette TCG Kınalıada conducted a port visit to Benghazi on August 20-21, during which our delegation from the Ministry of National Defense, led by our Director General of Defense and Security, visited the Deputy Commander of the Libyan National Army and Commander of the Land Forces, General Saddam Haftar. Meetings were held regarding joint activities that could be carried out with the goal of 'One Libya, One Army', and General Saddam Haftar visited TCG Kınalıada. Our corvette TCG Kınalıada conducted PASSEX and PHOTEX training exercises with the patrol boats of the Libyan National Army Navy and our TCB-59 helicopter."
"THE ISRAELI ADMINISTRATION IS UNDERMINING THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF OUR REGION" Recalling that Israel continues its reckless attacks targeting peace and stability in the region, Aktürk expressed the following:
"In Gaza, where a humanitarian disaster continues, the struggle for life of the Palestinian people, who are facing hunger, is becoming unbearable day by day, and the massacres deliberately targeting innocent civilians and journalists, including those in hospitals, by Israeli forces continue. Targeting independent journalists aims to prevent the reflection of the massacre and humanitarian tragedy to the international community. The impunity for the war crimes and international violations committed by Israel reinforces its boundless attitude of bullying. In the face of this attitude, ensuring a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, keeping humanitarian aid corridors continuously open, and holding the responsible parties accountable has become a fundamental obligation of the international community. Additionally, the attacks of the Israeli administration in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen are also undermining the security and stability of our region. It is essential for Israel to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all neighboring and regional countries for regional peace and stability."
Aktürk, who provided information that Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler will participate in Teknofest Blue Homeland held at the Istanbul Shipyard Command today, stated, "Our Minister will attend the Rank Promotion Ceremony to be held at our Ministry tomorrow, the ceremony to be held at Anıtkabir on August 30, the congratulatory event at the Presidential Complex, the Commemoration Ceremony at the State Cemetery, and the Diploma Award and Flag Transfer Ceremony of the Land, Naval, and Air Military Academies at the Land Military Academy."
"THE TSK WILL CONTINUE TO SUCCESSFULLY CARRY OUT ALL ITS DUTIES" Rear Admiral Aktürk stated that efforts to enhance the effectiveness and deterrence of the Turkish Armed Forces with domestic and national defense industry products are also ongoing.
In this context, Aktürk reported that the deliveries of various quantities and calibers of weapons and ammunition, including the weapon system for the Altay Tank, Storm howitzer equipment, and Gökdeniz weapon system, have been completed by the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation affiliated with the Ministry.
"Applications for the Contracted IT Personnel Supply under the Ministry of National Defense will end on September 3. The Diploma Award and Flag Transfer Ceremonies for the 2024-2025 academic year of the Land, Naval, and Air Military Academies and the Band Non-Commissioned Officer Vocational School will be held on August 30, while the Diploma Award and Flag Transfer Ceremonies for the Non-Commissioned Officer Vocational Schools of the Land, Naval, and Air Forces will take place on August 31. In the 2024-2025 academic year, 1,299 officers from the Military Academies, 1,943 non-commissioned officers from the Non-Commissioned Officer Vocational Schools, as well as 106 officers and 70 non-commissioned officers from 16 friendly and allied countries will graduate. As a result, our Turkish Armed Forces, which is the guarantee of our independence, our indivisible integrity, and our national unity and solidarity, will continue to strengthen in both quality and quantity every day and will carry out all the tasks entrusted to it with great determination, resolve, and success."
WORKS ON THE RECOVERY OF HALIT YUKAY'S REMAINS Ministry sources answered journalists' questions following the weekly press briefing.
Responding to questions regarding the recovery of the remains of businessman Halit Yukay, identified at a depth of 68 meters in the Sea of Marmara, sources stated, "Our Navy's TCG Işın rescue ship has begun operations in the area. A meticulous effort is being made to recover the remains believed to belong to Halit Yukay."
Regarding questions about the recent situation in Syria, sources from the Ministry of National Defense stated:
"Turkey believes that Syria will achieve stability with a central governance model that protects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria and does not allow divisive elements. The Syrian government continues its efforts with the intention of approaching all ethnic and sectarian groups in the country equally. The stability of Syria is directly linked to Turkey's security, and every step taken in this direction contributes to regional peace. Under the framework of the 'Joint Training and Consultancy Memorandum of Understanding' signed with Syria on August 13, 2025, training and consultancy activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of the Syrian Armed Forces are ongoing. In this context, Turkey will provide the necessary support regarding the training centers planned to be established in line with Syria's requests. Turkey will support any measures taken by the Syrian government to maintain its unity and integrity."
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