Latest news with #TurkishArmedForces
Business Recorder
05-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Naval Chief Naveed Ashraf awarded Turkiye's prestigious Legion of Merit
Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf undertook an official visit to Turkiye, during which he was conferred the prestigious Legion of Merit by the Turkish Armed Forces, the Pakistan Navy's spokesperson said on Tuesday. The award was presented by Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu, in recognition of Admiral Naveed Ashraf's efforts to strengthen defence ties and maritime cooperation between the two brotherly countries, Pakistan Navy's director general public relations said. Upon his arrival at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters, Admiral Ashraf was presented a guard of honour and subsequently called on the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu. During the meeting, both dignitaries discussed matters of professional interest, focusing on enhanced collaboration between the two navies. PN conducts drills with Turkish navy The naval chief also called on Turkish Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler, Chief of the General Staff General Metin Gurak, and Commander of Turkish Navy Fleet Admiral Kadir Yildiz. These high-level engagements included discussions on regional maritime security and bilateral defence cooperation. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf (left) in a meeting with Minister of National Defence Türkiye Yasar Guler. Photo: Facebook/@DgprNavy/File Admiral Naveed Ashraf emphasised the need for increased interaction between the armed forces through joint exercises, mutual visits, and training and exchange programmes. Later, the naval chief visited Istanbul Naval Shipyard, where he called on the commander of the shipyard and received a detailed briefing on Pakistan Navy's MILGEM project, a flagship initiative in bilateral defence collaboration. He also visited Golcuk Naval Base, where he observed cutting-edge submarine design and construction facilities. Admiral Ashraf further visited the Turkish naval vessels TCG ORUCREIS and S/M PIRIREIS, as well as the National Defence University in Turkiye. He also called on the Commander of the North Sea Area and laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Turkiye's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as a mark of respect. The naval chief's visit is expected to play a pivotal role in further strengthening and expanding defence relations between Pakistan and Turkiye, two nations bound by deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic ties.
Daily Tribune
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
15 July Democracy and National Unity Day: Türkiye, the Name of Victory
By H.E. Dr. Ayşe Hilal Sayan Koytak Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye Nine years ago today, the Republic of Türkiye experienced one of the darkest nights in its history; yet the same night also became etched in history as one of the Turkish nation's most heroic struggles. Today, in order to be more effective in the global fight against terrorism, it is essential to understand the nature of this treacherous coup attempt and the nationwide mobilization the Turkish people mounted to thwart it. The Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO), which had infiltrated the vital organs of the state for years in pursuit of its sinister agenda, launched a bloody coup attempt through its members embedded in the Turkish Armed Forces on the night of July 15, 2016, directly targeting the survival of our Republic, our constitutional order, and our democracy. It has been revealed by confessions and revelations from within the organization that the July 15 coup attempt was organized by FETO. These individuals, having infiltrated the Turkish Armed Forces over many years, targeted key state institutions in an unprecedented display of violence. Blinded by fanaticism, members of this terrorist organization went as far as bombing the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the Presidential Complex, the National Intelligence Organization headquarters, and the Police Special Operations Center in Ankara. As a result, 251 of our citizens were martyred, and more than two thousand were wounded and became veterans. This heinous coup attempt has gone down in history as not only Türkiye's but also one of the vilest attacks faced by modern democracies. Thanks to the resolute leadership of our President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the courage of Turkish people, and the sacrifices of loyal officers of Turkish Armed Forces and Security Forces, this attack was repelled. The Turkish nation demonstrated an unyielding will to uphold democracy even at the cost of their lives. The coup attempt revealed the extent of FETO's deep infiltration into the state apparatus. The crimes committed on the night of July 15th can be considered as the tip of the iceberg. The organization's strategy began decades earlier, through the establishment of schools and preparatory academies designed to indoctrinate students under the guise of education. Young people were trained to become loyal operatives, disregarding ethics, law, and democratic principles in favor of allegiance to the organization's leadership. Many gained entries into government institutions through illicit means, including the theft of exam questions. They were ordered to stay hidden and to infiltrate state institutions. Individuals who stood in the organization's way were removed through schemes and false allegations. As the organization gained influence and wealth, it began interfering in commercial dealings, engaging in large-scale money laundering, and routinely committing various financial crimes. Once the Turkish government grasped the true nature of these activities, FETO resorted to increasingly radical and aggressive tactics. The first major incident occurred in December 2013, when the group released a series of alleged recordings and falsified documents. Although this initial attack failed to achieve its goals, it served as a turning point for both the government and the public. With the uncovering of their covert communication tools (such as bylock, eagle, and tango etc) and the interception of their internal messages, efforts were launched to counter the group's operations and expose the depth of its infiltration and the damage it had inflicted. In short, FETO leveraged state resources to build an extensive economic and political network, creating a covert structure even within the Turkish Armed Forces. The events of July 15 starkly illustrated how dangerous this organization had become. July 15, Democracy and National Unity Day, marks not only the thwarting of a coup attempt but also the sacred victory of public will and democracy. It stands as an unwavering response to the enemies of democracy. That night, the Turkish people resisted tanks, jets, and guns with nothing but their bare hands and hearts, defending their free will, future, flag, and Republic. Over the past nine years since this treacherous coup attempt, Türkiye has waged a determined struggle against FETO without compromising the rule of law, in line with its Constitution and international obligations. The Turkish government has taken comprehensive legal, administrative, and economic measures to remove the group's presence from public institutions and civil society. Domestically, these efforts have focused on three key areas: holding coup perpetrators accountable in the courts, purging FETO's organizational structure from government institutions, and disrupting the group's activities in fields like education, media, and finance. Every element of FETO that had infiltrated public institutions has been carefully identified, brought to justice, and the organization's societal, economic, and international networks have been dismantled. During this process, the solidarity shown by friendly and brotherly countries has left a deep and lasting mark on the hearts of the Turkish people. In particular, the visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who became the first leader from the Gulf region and the Arab world to visit Türkiye following the July 15 events, remains for us an unforgettable example of solidarity and brotherhood. That meaningful visit is etched in our memories as one of the strongest symbols of the close friendship and shared values between our two countries. With this rare gesture of solidarity, His Majesty King Hamad won the hearts of the entire Turkish nation. On this occasion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the people of Bahrain for their unwavering solidarity in all circumstances. The fight against FETO remains one of the most critical pillars of our national security. Thanks to effective efforts, FETO's operational capacity has been largely neutralized not only within Türkiye but also abroad. However, the organization continues its efforts to survive through its networks overseas and operates under the guise of legitimate institutions in various countries. These structures exploit fields such as education, culture, civil society, and humanitarian aid and in fact serve as strategic tools to maintain FETO's global influence. Combating such organizations, which pose a threat to the future of democratic societies, is not only Türkiye's responsibility but a shared duty of the entire international community. After all, terrorism knows no language, religion, race, or geography. This dark network, which exploits all the universal values respected by humanity for its own agenda, constitutes a security threat to every country and society where it operates. In this regard, cooperation with friendly and allied nations is of vital importance. As Türkiye, we engage in close dialogue with our counterparts in countries where FETO is active and strive to build a shared awareness of the threat posed by this terrorist organization. Important steps have already been taken in this struggle, including the closure and transfer of FETO-linked schools to the Turkish Maarif Foundation, the extradition of FETO members, and the initiation of judicial processes. Various countries and international organizations have declared FETO as a terrorist organization. In this context, FETO was declared as a terrorist organization in the 43rd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC held on 19 October 2016; a similar resolution was written at the Asian Parliamentary Assembly on 1 December 2016 and ratified at the 12th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC on 27 January 2017. In addition to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared FETO a terrorist organization with the verdict rendered on 28 December 2018. The death of FETO ringleader Fethullah Gülen on October 20, 2024, in the United States, without standing trial, has not led us to complacency. Our determination to fight FETO will continue unwaveringly until this treacherous organization is completely eradicated. One of our key responsibilities in this fight is undoubtedly to explain to the world the legitimacy of our struggle. FETO still manages to infiltrate societies abroad and poison especially young minds with distorted narratives based on manufactured victimhood. On the ninth anniversary of July 15, Democracy and National Unity Day, we remember with mercy, gratitude, and respect all our martyrs and heroes who fought for this cause, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to our veterans. We once again reaffirm our unwavering stance against any structure or mentality that seeks to undermine our democracy, our Republic, and the unity of our nation.
Saudi Gazette
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Methane gas kills 12 Turkish soldiers in Iraq operation
ISTANBUL — Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after being exposed to methane gas while searching a cave in northern Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence said. At least 19 personnel were exposed to the gas during the search and clear operation on Sunday, and immediately taken to hospital. By Monday, 12 had died, the ministry said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he received the news with "great sorrow" and extended his condolences to the soldiers' families and to the Turkish Armed Forces. Methane gas is not directly toxic, but can be deadly as it can become suffocating, especially in tight, enclosed spaces. It remains unclear why the cave contained enough methane gas to make it lethal. A farewell ceremony for some of the soldiers killed was held at an airport in the southern Turkish province of Hakkari on Monday. It was attended by the Turkish defence minister and many high-ranking officials from the armed bodies were then transported back to their soldiers were searching for the body of a soldier who was killed in gunfire in May 2022 during Operation Claw Lock — a military operation led by Turkey against militants from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq, which included air strikes on caves as well as a ground PKK, which is banned as a terrorist group in Turkey, the EU, UK and US, has waged a 40-year insurgency against group's initial aim when it began fighting with Turkey in the 1980s was to create an independent home for Kurds. It then moved away from its separatist goals, focusing instead on more autonomy and greater Kurdish the last four decades, more than 40,000 people have been killed in the March, the PKK declared a ceasefire and in May said it would disband, stating it had "completed its historical mission" and would "end the method of armed struggle."In the first significant step towards peace since the announcement, the PKK said a group of fighters will lay down arms this week in Iraqi Kurdistan. — BBC
Egypt Today
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Chief of Staff returns after visit to Ankara on military partnership, weaponry
CAIRO - 12 May 2025: Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Ahmed Khalifa returned to Egypt on Sunday after discussing military partnership and reviewing Turkish weaponry in a visit to Ankara. Khalifa met with his Turkish counterpart Lieutenant General Metin Gurak, Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces on the sidelines of the fourth meeting of the Egyptian-Turkish Military Committee to enhance military cooperation between the two countries. The meeting discussed ways to enhance military cooperation in the fields of training and the transfer and exchange of expertise between the Egyptian and Turkish armed forces. The two Chiefs of Staff affirmed their aspiration to expand the horizons of military partnership and cooperation between the two countries in various fields during the coming period. Khalifa also met with Yasar Guler, Turkish Minister of Defense, who praised Egypt's active role in its international and regional environment, stressing joint action to confront current challenges and achieve stability in the region. Khalifa then met with the chairman of the Turkish Defense Industries Authority to discuss ways of joint cooperation. This was followed by a visit to a number of defense industry companies, where he heard a presentation on the advanced manufacturing capabilities of these companies, enhancing opportunities for exchanging expertise in the field of military manufacturing to the benefit of both friendly countries. He also toured the Turkish Special Forces Command, where he observed the implementation of a number of practical demonstrations and training activities by the Turkish Special Forces.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
From offering drones to solidarity: Turkey's hand in Pakistan's attacks
A preliminary probe into the debris after Pakistan's attempt to breach the northern and western fronts Thursday night suggests that the drones used by Pakistan are of Turkish origin, the Songar armed drone system, the government said Friday. Briefing reporters, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Col Sofiya Qureshi said that along the international border and Line of Control, drone intrusions were attempted from Siachen to Sir Creek at 36 locations with approximately 300-400 drones. Forensic examination of the drone debris is being undertaken. Preliminary reports suggest they are Asisguard's Songar drone from Turkey. Songar is an armed drone system designed and manufactured by Asisguard, part of Asis Electronics and Information Systems, to serve as a force-multiplier for low-intensity conflicts. It is the first domestic armed drone system to be operated by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). It is Turkey's first indigenous drone armed with a machine gun. India naming Turkey's drones is significant, since Pakistan is understood to have a strong arsenal of Chinese defence equipment as well. The fact that Pakistan has these drones is part of its deep and robust defence cooperation with Turkey. Indeed, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone on May 7 with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to convey his solidarity after India hit nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoK. During the call, Erdogan had told Sharif that Turkey supported what he called Pakistan's 'calm and restrained policies' in the crisis, his office said in a statement. Erdogan also said he found 'appropriate' Islamabad's call for an investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack. India had rejected that call for an international probe. Incidentally, Sharif was in Turkey when the Pahalgam terror attack happened on April 22. He met Erdogan at that time and discussed defence cooperation. The defence partnership between Turkey and Pakistan has deepened in recent years through institutional mechanisms and increasing joint exercises. Major defence deals with technology transfer provisions have bolstered Pakistan's capabilities. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been receiving the delivery F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in Ankara. Pakistan's National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP), inaugurated in August 2023, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar for research and development. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)'s Trade Register, Pakistan ordered three Bayraktar TB-2 armed UAV from Turkey in 2021 and received them in 2022. In Songar's case, according to the company's website, 'the aerial drone has a width of 145 cm from rotor to rotor and height of 70 cm. It has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 45 kg. The portable unmanned aerial system (UAS) can be easily deployed by infantry units and small security elements. It is capable of conducting operations during day and night.' It said that the drone system's machine gun can fire NATO class 5.56x45mm rounds. It has a maximum ammunition load capacity of 200 rounds and can also support single and 15-round burst modes. The armed drone is offered with various sub systems including a multi-rotor drone platform, gun stabilization system, drone mounted machine gun, and a ground control station. The Songar drone system is installed with two cameras, including a pilot camera with 10x zoom and a gun-mounted camera. The cameras are capable of transmitting video and real-time images. The night sensors allow the drone to perform operations within a range of 10 km. The camera systems are capable of performing real-time video transfer as well as video and data recording for post-mission analysis. The armed drone uses both GPS and GLONASS navigation systems for communications during operations, the company's website said. It also said the maximum operational range of the unmanned vehicle is 3 km. It can hit targets within a 15-cm area from a distance of 200 m. The drone can ascend to an altitude of up to 2,800 m at mean sea level and 400 m above ground level.
