Wednesday, December 31st 2025
Turkey has stated that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to support decentralization and federalism and have not taken steps to integrate into Syria’s central authority, warning that this approach threatens the country’s territorial integrity and stability, reports Anadolu.
The Ministry of National Defense said Ankara is coordinating with Damascus in accordance with the “one state, one army” principle and is monitoring developments in the process. integration.
“If the Syrian government decides to take an initiative for unity and integrity, Turkey will support it,” the Turkish ministry said.
Defense Ministry spokesman Zeki Akturk said at the weekly media briefing that three PKK members surrendered last week, bringing the total for the year to 111. He said search and clearance operations continued in the operational areas, including the destruction of four kilometers of tunnels in Munbij.
He said that the weapons, ammunition and equipment seized from PKK countries were rendered unusable. He added that the total length of tunnels destroyed in the Syrian operation areas has now reached 741 kilometers.
As for border security, Akturk said that during the past week, 136 people were arrested while trying to illegally cross Turkey’s borders, while another 1,186 were prevented from crossing.
“In 2025, the number of people caught trying to cross illegally reached to 9,942, while 66,794 were prevented,” he said.
Border units also seized 101 kilograms of narcotics this week along the border lines in Hakkari and Van, bringing the annual total to 1,982 kilograms.
“The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are determined to raise the bar in the fight against terrorism and border security in the year 2026”, emphasized Akturk.
– Efforts for regional and global peace
Further, Akturk said that the TSK continues to play a leading role in initiatives for regional and global peace.
Within the tripartite initiative launched by Turkey with Romania and Bulgaria, the Meeting of the Task Force Committee on Mine Countermeasures in the Black Sea will be held on January 8 at the Naval Museum Command in Beşiktaş, followed by the handover of command and activation ceremony at the Istanbul Strait Command.
The eighth activation will take place from January 9 to 18, 2026, with mine detection and surveillance operations in the western part of the Black Sea, as well as visits to the port of Istanbul by Bulgarian and Romanian ships from 7 to on January 10.
Akturk criticized Israel for continuing to create instability and illegal actions at the regional and global level for more than two years.
“The international community remains insufficient in stopping Israel’s brutal massacres and inhumane practices against the Palestinian people, as well as the threats to the sovereignty of the countries of the region and the chaos it has created,” he said, expressing hope that the coming year will bring peace for Palestine and regional stability.
Akturk said that the TSK continues training and exercises without interruption to maintain a high level of readiness in a complex threat environment.
He noted the successful conclusion of the Ayyildiz exercise between Turkey and Pakistan, held in Istanbul from December 15 to 26, in which Pakistan’s SAT teams and Iqbal teams participated.
“Since January 1, a total of 157 exercises have been successfully conducted, of which 45 NATO, 29 national, 59 by invitation and 24 special,” he said, adding that the Naval Forces Cooperation Meeting between Turkey and Saudi Arabia will be held in Turkey from January 5 to 9, 2026.
As part of NATO’s Security Measures, a Turkish Warning aircraft and Early Air Control (AWAC) conducted a mission in Romanian airspace on December 30. He also announced a ceremonial flight of F-16 aircraft on January 4 in Sarikamish/Kars, on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Sarikamish Operation.
Akturk said that efforts to strengthen the modern and effective defense capacity of the TSK through local and national defense industry products continue.
He said that the Ground Forces Command has put into service modernized M60T tanks, KARAOK anti-tank systems, air defense systems HISAR-A and electronic support tools MILKED, after completion of inspection and acceptance.
He added that MKE has delivered various weapons and ammunition, while the BALKIN 130 mm countermeasures ammunition is ready for serial production. The Air Force Command has put into service the seventh T-70 helicopter under the multipurpose helicopter project, as well as precision guidance kits, laser guidance kits and electronic warfare capsules.
Looking towards 2026, Akturk said work will continue on a wide range of systems, including the multi-layered air defense system “Steel Dome”, the Kizilelma and ANKA-3 unmanned combat aircraft, platforms land, sea and unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles, electronic warfare systems and major naval projects such as the TF-2000 air defense destroyer, the national submarine and the national aircraft carrier, with 39 ships being built simultaneously.
He also highlighted plans to improve command and control supported by artificial intelligence, cyber defense, autonomous systems and big data-based decision support infrastructure, to further enhance deterrence capability.
Regarding the purchase of F-35 aircraft, the Turkish ministry said that efforts will continue until the national fighter jet KAAN is put into service.
“If CAATSA (US) sanctions are lifted, we estimate that defense cooperation with the US will gain momentum. The work to lift the sanctions and purchase the F-35 continues,” the statement said.
Akturk said that The TSK will continue to fulfill all its duties with determination in the new year, in accordance with the vision of the Century of Turkey, expressing the hope that the year 2026 will bring peace, stability and prosperity to Turkey, the region and the world.
Source: prizrenpost
Etiketa: Brief
