Ankara- Last December, Turkish military bases on the Iraqi and Syrian borders were attacked by ISIS.BKK“(PKK), killing many Turkish soldiers. Subsequently, it was fired Ankara Cross-border military operations in both Syria AndIraq.

On the other hand, making Türkiye Active diplomatic and media efforts regarding Israel’s war against the Palestinians, and it has taken an important step by submitting a “guarantor” offer to…Gaza strip to solve the problem. However, a concrete response has not yet been obtained from countries in the region to this proposal.

Both were presented by the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan And the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan Several statements regarding the ongoing massacre in Gaza.

Turkish Chief of Staff and Defense Minister Yasar Guler is not someone who appears often in the media. With the exception of the Turkish media, these issues are being talked about for the first time with Al Jazeera Net as an external media outlet.

The following is the text of the interview:

• What are the goals of Turkish military operations in Iraq and Syria? How do you evaluate the future of your military presence in their north? Is there a possibility of a ground military operation?

For years, Turkey has been in a determined and ongoing struggle against the “terrorist” PKK organization and its extensions that target our citizens and security forces, threaten us and pose a major threat to the residents of the region.

Unfortunately, this organization receives the support of some countries to become a puppet. When talking about our operations in the region, it is worth noting that since 2015, terrorist groups and their supporters have exploited instability in Iraq and Syria.

In northern Iraq, where the will of the state is absent, the organization has intensified its terrorist activities against our country by establishing safe zones for itself. In Syria, after the civil war, terrorists continued their efforts to establish physical structures in the region, in addition to launching continuous attacks against our country.

In this context, in 2016, we began to make a comprehensive change in our concept of combating terrorism, and we began implementing the strategy of securing our borders in advance and eliminating terrorism at its source. Through the operations we carried out in northern Syria and Iraq, we provided security for our borders and our honorable people, and we also broke the terrorist corridor that they intended to create in the south of our country.

I stress that our only target in the operations we carry out are terrorists. All elements of the PKK organization and the Union of Communities KurdistanAnd the Syrian Democratic ForcesPeople's Protection UnitsAndState regulation In Syria and Iraq, which pose a threat to our country and our people, they are our legitimate targets as they were before.

Also, all the operations that we carried out against organizations in northern Iraq and Syria are not considered an activity against the sovereignty of the countries concerned, but rather international cooperation within the framework of combating terrorism.

Our position is clear regarding combating terrorist organizations. When the threats and dangers to which our country is exposed from the north of these two countries end, and when an environment of peace and security is established, we will do what is necessary like any other party when the necessary conditions exist.

Currently, 63% of our borders with Syria have been controlled, and 100% with Iraq. Through this security belt, the terrorist corridor has been cut, the transfer of terrorists and attacks to our territory has been reduced to zero, and irregular migration has been prevented.

As for the remaining region, it is necessary to fulfill the promises we made within the framework of the agreements we concluded with United State AndRussia.

As our President Erdogan expressed, Turkey's conduct of operations for the security of our country, our people and our borders is its natural right under international law and legitimate defense. There should be no doubt that the Turkish Armed Forces will do what is necessary, as they have done so far, at the right place and time.

Our decisive resistance against terrorists will continue until they are uprooted from our ancient lands. Any terrorist threat, camp, shelter, formation or gathering will be permanently destroyed. I stress that whatever the support, argument or reason, we will never allow the establishment of a terrorist corridor along our southern border.

• How do you explain the attacks launched by the PKK on Turkish military bases in Iraq and Syria?

So far, we have launched successful operations inside and outside borders, inflicted severe damage on terrorist organizations, and brought their mobility to the end. Through the “Claw Lock” operation carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces, we completely secured our borders with Iraq and closed the door.

In our successful operations in Iraq and Syria, many elements were neutralized, including prominent leaders from the PKK and the Union of Kurdistan Communities. The weapons and logistics centers of these organizations were destroyed, and terrorists were prevented from transporting weapons and ammunition to our borders.

For this reason, the PKK and the Federation of Kurdistan Terrorist Communities, which recently suffered heavy damage and had difficulty providing personnel, began launching attacks on our areas of operations, taking advantage of the harsh terrain and winter conditions.

Our arrival in the “Zab” area, the center of the terrorists, also increased the state of panic in the organization, and the completely surrounded terrorists began to resist in a desperate attempt. Although this organization is still trying to show that it is a useful tool for its supporters and to prove its existence, its efforts are futile, because the steel fist of our soldiers will hit the terrorists’ heads harder every time.

After the recent attacks launched by terrorists on our military areas in northern Iraq, we buried those who tried to infiltrate our areas in their places. We carried out effective and comprehensive air strikes in northern Iraq and Syria, and successfully destroyed several targets belonging to terrorist organizations. We will continue our struggle until the last terrorist is neutralized, without ever retreating.

• How do you view the war on Gaza? Can Turkey play a role in achieving security, peace, or a ceasefire in the Strip?

Gaza is experiencing a major humanitarian catastrophe. Nearly 25,000 Palestinians have lost their lives so far, and more than 65,000 others have been injured, in addition to those missing under the rubble, which shows us an even more horrific scene. According to estimates United nationsMore than 69,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged, and 90% of Gaza's population was displaced.

Turkey, and especially our President, have made clear our position towards Gaza from the first moment, and we declare openly at every opportunity that the massacre of thousands of innocent civilians, most of them infants, children and women, in flagrant violation of international law, is a war crime that reaches the level of brutality, and even more so. Sadly, it is a crime against humanity.

We see that the countries that issued hasty and biased statements in the first days of the conflict are getting closer to us day after day. The Republic of Turkey, which is considered a center for peace, security and stability in its region, has become an indispensable element at the negotiating tables thanks to its proposals to solve problems in geographical areas and critical areas, and its prominent contributions to peace and stability.

We launched a ceasefire call to end these massacres immediately, and we also made multifaceted diplomatic efforts to stop Israel's brutality.

As our President expressed, we are ready to fulfill our responsibilities towards the ceasefire in Gaza, including the issue of guarantee, achieving lasting peace, andThe two-state solution. We also continue uninterruptedly to help our brothers in Gaza during this difficult period.

So far, we have delivered about 240 tons of humanitarian aid on board 17 military aircraft, and about 4,500 tons on board 3 ships to the region. We received 762 of our brothers in Gaza, most of whom were patients who needed immediate treatment, and their companions.

Our country is working intensively on behalf of our brothers in Gaza who are suffering great pain and being subjected to injustice. We will also continue to do our duty in the field of humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution.

I stress once again that a just result will not be reached, and lasting peace will not be possible in our region without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty and geographical borders, with its capital as its capital. East Jerusalem.

• How does Türkiye balance its military and political relations in the war between Russia and Ukraine?

We continue our efforts to find a solution to this crisis, led by our President, from day one. We have emphasized and emphasize the necessity of maintaining territorial integrity Ukraine on all levels. We also hope that this war, which is affecting the entire world, will end as soon as possible.

We continue our efforts to reactivate the grain agreement in Black Sea Which was implemented under the coordination of our country, and contributed effectively to overcoming the grain crisis. Restoring peace and stability in the Black Sea is important for the entire world, including coastal countries.

Türkiye applies the Monterrey Convention Bosphorus Strait AndAlderdanil That maintains the balance in the Black Sea carefully, responsibly and impartially, and we are committed to implementing it.

We also signed the important Black Sea Mine Action Task Force Agreement, within the framework of the “tripartite initiative” that we launched with Romania AndBulgariaTo combat the threat of mines in the Black Sea. It will contribute significantly to enhancing maritime and security security in this sea and the region, including the safety of navigation.

Turkey, thanks to its balanced, consistent, unbiased and multidimensional position and behavior, continues to maintain its role as a bridge for peace, security and stability between continents and regions, despite the ring of fire surrounding it.

• Self-sufficiency in the field of Turkish defense industries, which was less than 20%, reached 80%. How did this affect Ankara’s military capabilities? How did its defense exports develop? Was there room to test and evaluate your industries?

Under the leadership of our President, the proportion of domestic manufacturing in the Turkish defense industry has risen to 80%. This industry has become a center for the production of critical systems thanks to its production infrastructure, powerful facilities and modern technologies.

Our uniquely designed products are exported to many countries now. The entry of 4 Turkish defense companies into the list of the top 100 companies in the world in 2023 was also a source of pride for us.

Our fully independent defense goal is for our armed forces to become stronger through our developed local and national defense products, and for the effectiveness and deterrence power of our army in the field of land, sea, air and digital operations to increase every day.

We have achieved great successes in the field of operations by launching many important and vital projects in the field of national defense in recent years. We aim to continue this dynamic without stopping, increase our local and national production to the maximum extent, and raise our exports in this field to the highest levels.

• Türkiye has important military agreements with Libya, Qatar and Somalia in the Middle East. Are we witnessing new similar cooperation agreements with countries in the region?

Our country, especially in recent years, has become a security-producing country in its region and the world thanks to its effective diplomacy and strong and reliable army. The confidence of brotherly and friendly countries in us in this regard and our country’s invitation to them demonstrate Turkey’s special position in this regard. Our cooperation with these countries and allies, especially military and defense, continues at an increasing pace.

We are now signing military framework agreements covering areas such as military training and education, military and logistical cooperation, military health care, humanitarian assistance, and search and rescue operations, and these agreements will allow for the signing of subsequent ones.

Thus, our efforts continue to sign new agreements and update old ones. We will continue our work in a multidimensional manner and increase cooperation in the fields of defence, regional and international security, and industrial defence, with steps that contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

• What is Turkey's position on the ongoing military operations in the Red Sea and what are the expected results of these and other operations on the stability of the region?

We are going through a critical phase where tensions have turned into conflicts and even wars, international tests have reached their peak, and balances are being redefined. Turkey occupies a position that represents security, peace and stability in every geographical region in which it is located, and we hope to avoid any initiatives that would endanger peace and stability in the region, and to end the current tensions within the framework of logic and wisdom as soon as possible.

In conclusion, Turkey believes that all problems can be solved through:

• Commitment to the basic principles of international law.
• Building fraternal and friendly relations based on love, respect and mutual understanding.
• Promoting dialogue and cooperation between all parties concerned.

Turkey keeps these principles before its eyes in every action it undertakes, and seeks to achieve peace and stability throughout the world.