Turkish Armed Forces, National Intelligence intensify efforts to combat terrorism

Türkiye has deployed all instruments available in its fight against terrorism, a battle that has marked the last 40 years of its history. While political dialogues continue, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the National Intelligence Organization have intensified efforts to close the terrorism chapter.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s steps toward normalization with Syria, notably at Astana with Russian President Vladimir Putin, complement ongoing high-level discussions by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yasar Guler with Iraqi officials.

Especially along the border regions, TAF’s and Iraqi authorities’ frequent and instant consultations are coupled with pinpoint operations by the National Intelligence Organization targeting pseudo leaders of terrorist organizations. Under pressure in Iraq, the PKK terrorist group has resorted to blowing up ammunition depots and setting fire to forested areas where they reside.

Security sources highlight that due to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones, the pseudo-leaders of the terrorist organization cannot move freely and are attempting to escape to perceived safer areas. They point out that terrorists trap evacuated villages surrounding operational zones with explosives.

Sources also mention that handmade explosive detection and destruction teams successfully neutralize explosives rigged by terrorists who seize the homes of innocent civilians fleeing along their escape routes. Especially in rural areas, airborne commandos are continuously deployed with air assault operations, meticulously inspecting all caves one by one. In a hideout identified in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, security forces seized 2,300 rounds of DShK ammunition.

Security sources note that terrorists use innocent civilians as shields in operational areas or surroundings they are forced to abandon, planting explosive traps in homes and gardens. They emphasize the commencement of a “continuous operation phase”.