The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) reacted to the decision to build a monument to the Greek Cypriots who lost their lives in 1974 in the European Parliament's building in Strasbourg, and rejected the unfounded allegations against the Cyprus Peace Operation and the Turkish Armed Forces. The Ministry said, "The recommendation by the European Parliament's Women's Rights and Gender Equality Commission to allocate resources to the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus for a so-called monument project targeting the Turkish Armed Forces is a new example of a biased approach to distort historical facts."
Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, held a weekly press briefing at the National Defense University Multinational Joint Warfare Center Command in Istanbul. Aktürk said:
"Our Multinational Joint Warfare Center Command, under the coordination of our Press and Public Relations Consultancy, hosted the NATO Communicators Conference between 7-10 September, with the participation of 542 communicators who are experts in their fields from 42 countries. In the said conference, evaluations were made on improving NATO's strategic communication capacity, increasing resilience against disinformation and strengthening coordination between allies. Communication approaches regarding the current security environment, trends towards the future of strategic communication, changing information were discussed. "The opportunities and challenges brought by the communication environment, developments in the cognitive field, and issues regarding the effective use of artificial intelligence tools are discussed."
COMBAT TERRORISM AND BORDER SECURITY
Touching on the issue of the fight against terrorism, Aktürk said, "Two more PKK terrorists surrendered within the week, within the scope of the duties and activities carried out by our Turkish Armed Forces in order to establish permanent security." Regarding border security, Aktürk said, "790 people who tried to cross our borders illegally were caught, and 887 people were blocked before they could cross the border. Thus, from January 1 to today, the number of people caught trying to cross our borders illegally is 10 thousand 445, and the number of people blocked is 49 thousand 394. In addition, in the search and screening activities carried out on the Iğdır and Hakkari border lines this week, approximately 7 kilograms (6 thousand "784 grams of drugs were seized," he said.
"ONE LIBYA, ONE ARMY" GOAL IN LIBYA
Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces continue to contribute to regional and global peace and stability within the scope of bilateral relations and international missions, especially NATO, and stated that the "Commando Basic Training" carried out by the 40th Commando Training Brigade Command with the participation of 362 guest military personnel from the eastern and western regions of Libya was successfully completed. Aktürk stated that Turkey attaches great importance to the unity, integrity and permanent stability of Libya, and that it will continue to develop its relations with the east and west of the country and continue its military training and cooperation activities in line with the goal of "One Libya, One Army".
Stating that Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler received the ambassadors of Iceland and Qatar on September 4, attended the reception held in Ankara on the occasion of Pakistan's Defense and Martyrs' Day, received the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on September 8, and the Ambassador of Iran in Ankara on September 9, Aktürk noted that Güler will receive the Ambassador of Mozambique today and attend the Japanese Armed Forces Day reception. Aktürk reported that Chief of General Staff General Metin Gürak also received the Commander of the Finnish Land Forces on September 8, and held a bilateral and inter-delegation meeting with the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Europe (SACEUR) on September 9.
ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON GAZA AND LEBANON
Referring to the developments in the Middle East, Aktürk argued that Israel systematically continues its attacks on Lebanon and Gaza and forces the people of the region to migrate, and stated that the number of deaths in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March 2, 2026 has exceeded 4 thousand 300 and the number of injured has exceeded 12 thousand 300. Stating that more than 1,300 Palestinians have lost their lives since the ceasefire came into force in Palestine, and the total number of deaths since October 2023 has reached approximately 75 thousand, Aktürk stated that the World Food Program reported that two-thirds of the Gaza population is facing critical or emergency hunger, and stated that "the international community has a common responsibility to take concrete and effective measures in the face of this expansionist and genocidal attitude of Israel."
TRAINING AND EXERCISE ACTIVITIES OF TAF
Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces continues its training and exercise activities uninterruptedly in order to maintain its high level of readiness, and stated that the ongoing Martyr Personnel Lieutenant Colonel Rasim Sayın Yıldırım Mobilization in Kırklareli and the Air Wolf Hunting Search and Rescue exercises held in Hungary will end tomorrow. Stating that they participated in the Repmus Unmanned Naval Systems Testing and NATO Bold Machina Naval Special Operations exercises in Portugal between 31 August and 25 September, the Phoenix Express Maritime Security in Tunisia and the Triton Mine Operation in Bulgaria, Aktürk said that they participated in the Infinite Brotherhood-V Special Force exercises in Uzbekistan between 11 September and 2 October, and the Burebista Actual Air and Eastern Shield Air/Drone Defense exercises in Romania. He noted that it was planned to be
Aktürk said that the Italian Naval Forces School Ship Corsaro II made a port visit to Çeşme, and that TCG Osmangazi will visit Famagusta and Aksaz/Marmaris, TCG Karşıyaka will visit Foça, Romanian Naval Forces Mircea will visit Istanbul and TCG Göksu will visit Tanzania within the scope of the advanced sea training of Naval Academy students. Stating that Turkey will also participate in the naval force meetings and conferences to be held in the Republic of Korea and Romania, Aktürk stated that two F-16s and a tanker aircraft will participate in the training flight to be held in Romanian NATO airspace on September 14 within the scope of NATO's Enhanced Vigilance Activities.
Aktürk stated that concerts will be held in Kütahya, Kayseri and Kahramanmaraş by the Turkish Armed Forces band and mehteran units, a commemoration ceremony will be held for the martyrs of the Ertuğrul Frigate at the Barbaros Monument in Beşiktaş on September 16, Turkish Stars made demonstration flights at the 2nd El Alamein Air Fair held in Egypt and SOLOTÜRK will be in France. He noted that he was planned to attend the Saint-Dizier Air Shows. Congratulating the national athletes who achieved successful results in the 20th Mediterranean Games held in Italy between 21 August and 3 September, Aktürk congratulated the National Women's Volleyball Team and its technical staff, which became European champions for the second time in a row at the 2026 European Championship, and wished them continued success.
DOMESTIC AND NATIONAL DEFENSE INDUSTRY PRODUCTS ARE IN THE INVENTORY
Aktürk stated that efforts to increase the facilities and capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces with domestic and national defense industry products are continuing, and that in the last week, MKE delivered weapons and ammunition in various quantities and sizes to the Land Forces Command, and medium-range missile fuel rods and the Altay tank main weapon system to defense industry stakeholders. Stating that ASELSAN delivered the Precision Guidance Kit (HGK-84) and Laser Guidance Kit (LGK-82) to the Air Forces Command, Aktürk said that MKE participated in the 2nd El Alamein Air Fair held in Egypt and the MSPO International Defense Industry Fair in Poland, and within the scope of MSPO, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between MKE and PGZ, one of Poland's defense industry organizations, for cooperation in the field of air defense systems. He noted that the memorandum had been signed.
SUPPLY OF PERSONNEL AND MILITARY STUDENTS
Stating that personnel and military student recruitment activities are continuing as planned, Aktürk stated that the applications for the "Turkish Armed Forces 2026 Law Class Active Officer Candidate Supply" applications, which started on September 7, will continue until October 7. Aktürk stated that the search and rescue activities for the citizens who were lost on the passenger ship that capsized off the coast of Kyrenia in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on August 30, and the missing crew of the ship that sank as a result of the collision of two commercial ships off the coast of Silivri in the Sea of Marmara on September 2, were carried out by the Naval Forces on a 24/7 basis, and expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives in the accidents.
HISTORICAL ANNIVERSARY WERE COMMEMORATED
Celebrating the 104th anniversary of Izmir's liberation from enemy occupation and the 105th anniversary of the Sakarya Victory, Aktürk commemorated the heroes of the War of Independence, martyrs and veterans, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, with mercy, gratitude and respect. Aktürk also celebrated the 108th anniversary of Baku's liberation from enemy occupation and commemorated with mercy and gratitude the martyrs and veterans of Nuri Killigil Pasha and the Caucasus Islamic Army, and the martyrs of the Ertuğrul Frigate, which set out for Turkish-Japanese friendship and sank on September 16, 1890. Emphasizing that the Turkish Armed Forces will continue their fight against all kinds of threats and dangers to the survival of Turkey with determination, Aktürk stated that the Turkish Armed Forces will continue to be the guarantee of independence, the indivisible integrity of the homeland and national unity and solidarity as the deterrent force of the country.
REACTION TO AP'S MONUMENT DECISION
After the meeting, journalists' questions were answered by the Ministry of National Defense. When asked about the evaluations regarding the decision of the European Parliament (EP) to build a "monument to the Greek Cypriot victims who lost their lives in 1974" in its building in Strasbourg, France, the following answer was given:
"We strongly reject the unfounded allegations against the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation and our heroic Turkish Armed Forces, which saved the Turkish Cypriot people from systematic attacks and massacres and brought peace and tranquility to the Island. The recommendation by the European Parliament Women's Rights and Gender Equality Commission to allocate resources to a so-called monument project targeting the Turkish Armed Forces of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus is a new example of a biased approach to distort historical facts.
The fact that the European Union and its institutions ignore the systematic attacks against the Turkish Cypriots between 1963 and 1974 and the inhumane actions of the EOKA terrorist organization and rely on the unilateral claims and discourses of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus is far from contributing to the solution of the Cyprus Issue. We invite third parties to display a fair and impartial attitude in the light of historical facts. Turkish Armed Forces continue to be the guarantor of peace and stability on the Island for more than 50 years. "We are fully determined to give the necessary response to any hostile attitude targeting the security of the Turkish Cypriot people."
"SDF'S TERMINATION AND INTEGRATION PROCESS IS BEING CLOSELY FOLLOWED"
When asked about the dissolution process of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the following evaluations were made:
"The dissolution and integration process, which is carried out within the scope of strengthening the territorial integrity of Syria and the concept of 'one state, one army', is being closely monitored. In this context, the delivery of weapons and military vehicles to the Syrian army is a natural requirement of the integration process and the 'one army' principle. We consider that the delivery of weapons and military vehicles to the Syrian Army, left over from the old regime elements during the civil war or provided by international actors for the purpose of fighting against terrorism, will contribute to the healthy progress of the process."
