15.05.2025 13:21
The first assessment regarding the dissolution decision of the terrorist organization PKK has come from sources within the Ministry of National Defense. The statement indicated that a mechanism would be established by the relevant state units in coordination with the counterparts of regional countries regarding the surrender of weapons belonging to the terrorist organization.
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During the congress held between May 5-7, the terrorist organization PKK, which made the decision to dissolve, announced this decision to the public with a written statement on Monday, May 12. The statement reported the decisions to dissolve the organizational structure and to end the armed struggle methods.
While the PKK's decision to dissolve and lay down arms has resonated widely in the public, the first statement regarding the development came from sources within the Ministry of National Defense. Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, the Press and Public Relations Advisor and Spokesperson of the Ministry, stated in a press briefing, "The separatist terrorist organization PKK has announced that it has dissolved itself and made the decision to lay down arms. The process will be carried out with great sensitivity and diligence in coordination with our state's relevant institutions; the concrete steps of the decision taken will be closely monitored in the field. Regarding the surrender of weapons, a mechanism will be established in coordination with the counterparts of regional countries by our state's relevant units," he said.
NOTABLE WORDS IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE Highlights from Rear Admiral Aktürk's statements are as follows; "For the peace of our nation and the survival of our state, the Turkish Armed Forces, which resolutely continue their fight against terrorism and take intense and effective measures along our borders, have captured 1 PKK terrorist who escaped from the shelter areas in northern Iraq in the last week as part of ongoing operations and search-and-rescue activities; a large number of weapons, ammunition, and survival materials have been seized and rendered unusable in caves belonging to the identified terrorists in the Pençe-Kilit operation area.
On this occasion, we once again pray for the mercy of Allah for our heroic comrade, Infantry Specialist Sergeant Mesut Karadağ, who was martyred due to lightning strike in the Pençe-Kilit Operation area on May 14; we extend our condolences and patience to his grieving family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation. Throughout the week, as part of border security activities, 192 individuals have been captured, including 7 members of the terrorist organization, and 2,527 individuals have been prevented from crossing. Thus, as of January 1, the number of those caught while attempting to cross our borders illegally has reached 2,033, and the number of those prevented has reached 32,184. Additionally, more than 22 kilograms (22,277 g) of narcotic substances have been seized during search-and-rescue operations conducted along the Van border line this week. As part of the "tunnel destruction" activities that have been ongoing in the Syrian Operation Areas since January 8, approximately 99 kilometers of tunnels in the Tel Rıfat region and 112 kilometers in the Manbij region have been destroyed to date.
DISSOLUTION PROCESS OF THE SEPARATIST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK Sources from the Ministry of National Defense made the following evaluations regarding questions about the dissolution process of the separatist terrorist organization PKK; "The separatist terrorist organization PKK has announced that it has dissolved itself and made the decision to lay down arms. The process will be carried out with great sensitivity and diligence in coordination with our state's relevant institutions; the concrete steps of the decision taken will be closely monitored in the field. Regarding the surrender of weapons, a mechanism will be established in coordination with the counterparts of regional countries by our state's relevant units.
We find it beneficial to emphasize that caution should be exercised against provocations that may be made by countries using the terrorist organization as well as those within the separatist terrorist organization who do not support this decision taken by the PKK. Our Turkish Armed Forces will continue resolutely with land search-and-rescue activities, as well as detection and destruction efforts for caves, shelters, hideouts, mines, and improvised explosive devices in areas used by the separatist terrorist organization PKK until it is ensured that the region is cleared and will no longer pose a threat to our country."
APPOINTMENT OF A TURKISH GENERAL AS SECURITY DIRECTOR IN NATO Ministry sources, in response to questions regarding the appointment of a Turkish General as Security Director in NATO, stated; "In the weekly press briefing we held last week, regarding our General who was appointed as the 'Security Director by Cooperation' in NATO, the phrase 'for the first time in many years' was mistakenly used instead of 'for the first time.' We apologize to the public and to our commanders who previously held the directorate position for this material error."
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