Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar stated that they are ready to do what is necessary regarding the possible operation against the north of Syria and gave the message that “Whatever is necessary will be done when the time and place comes.” Minister Akar said, “The fight against terrorism continues with the understanding that the terrorist is almost the target, with an offensive spirit in increasing violence and tempo. We will save our nation from this scourge of terror that has plagued it for 40 years. We are determined, determined and capable of this. No one should come up against us on this issue, should not try to prevent us. Our only target is terrorists.”
Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar answered the questions of a group of journalists about the Operation to Syria and the negotiations for the grain of Ukraine after the Presidential Cabinet held in Beştepe. On the negotiations to deliver more than 20 million tons of Ukraine’s grain to world markets, Akar said that this is an important issue for people in many regions of the world to access food.
“TURKEY IS COORDINATING”
Pointing out Turkey’s diplomatic traffic on the “grain corridor”, Akar continued his words as follows:
“We are trying to conclude this as soon as possible. We are negotiating with Russia, Ukraine and the UN, and as a result, we are trying to solve this issue. There’s been a lot of progress on that. Work on technical planning issues such as how to do it, how to clear the mines, who will build it, how to create a corridor, who will accompany it, continues. At the moment, we are coordinating as Turkey.
(Can there be a schedule for interviews?) Maybe. Last Saturday, a UN official and a friend in our Ministry met about this. The process is progressing because there is a will for a solution in the parties. Everyone wants to be mutually sure of something. We are working to ensure that trust.
“WE HAVE SMASHED THE TERROR CHORUS”
(Operation in Syria) We act principledly. In all our activities, we act as principled, open, transparent and in accordance with international law as possible. We say that we will ensure the security of our borders and our citizens. That’s our concern. We do not want any formation on our borders that threatens our borders and the security of our citizens. No matter what it is called a ‘terror corridor’, a ‘terror formation’. As a matter of fact, it started from 2016 and we have smashed the terror corridors. We have stated that we will not allow any formation there from now on.
Minister Akar’s message on the operation to Syria: No one should come up against us or try to prevent us
Turkey continues its anti-terror activities with determination. We always say that we respect the territorial integrity and sovereign rights of all our neighbors, especially Iraq and Syria. We have no eyes on anyone’s land. Our activities are entirely for the security of our borders and citizens. In order to achieve this goal, the Turkish Armed Forces are at the disposal of the nation at the beginning of their duties.
“NO ONE SHOULD INTERFERE WITH US”
The fight against terrorism continues with the understanding that the terrorist is almost the target, with an offensive spirit in increasing violence and tempo. We will save our nation from this scourge of terror that has plagued it for 40 years. We are determined, determined and capable of this. No one should come up against us on this issue, should not try to prevent us. Our only target is terrorists. Kurds and Arabs are our brothers. It is obvious that we have taken all kinds of measures to prevent harm to civilians and the environment both in the planning and execution phase and what we have done in this regard. Everyone knows that we are more sensitive than any other army has ever done.
“WE ARE READY TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY”
The harassment and attack attempts against us, which our President also expressed, are concentrated in these two regions (Tal Rifat and Manbij). We retaliate against attempts to attack. Moreover, we are ready to do what is necessary if necessary. Whatever is necessary will be done when the time and place comes.”
