Turkish Defense Ministry spokesman Zeki Aktürk confirmed Thursday, during a briefing to journalists in the capital, Ankara, that the ministry is closely monitoring recent media reports regarding Greek Cyprus' purchase of an air defense system from Israel.
He pointed out that "the continued armament efforts of the Greek Cypriot administration and its activities that could undermine peace and stability on the island could lead to serious consequences," explaining that all attempts to disrupt the existing balance on the island are being closely monitored, and "all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the security and peace of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."
Aktürk stressed that "Türkiye, as it did yesterday, stands by and supports the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus today, and that the Turkish Cypriots are under Türkiye's guarantee.
"State terrorism and genocide"
Regarding the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, the Turkish Defense Ministry spokesman emphasized that the ongoing ground assault on Gaza City, which began on the morning of September 16, is exacerbating the humanitarian tragedy that has been ongoing for more than two years.
He added, "Israel's attacks targeting civilians in Gaza and its provocative actions against countries in the region confirm its intention to plunge the Middle East once again into instability."
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He stressed that "the international community can no longer ignore the systematic Israeli aggression, state terrorism, and genocide being perpetrated in Gaza," and called on it to take effective and deterrent steps against Israel without delay to ensure peace and stability in the region.
The status of the Turkish Armed Forces in Syria
Regarding the status of the Turkish Armed Forces in Syria, Aktürk emphasized that " the Turkish Armed Forces are in Syria under the right of self-defense and in accordance with international law to ensure the security of our country and borders, combat terrorism, and prevent the terrorist corridor."
He pointed out that the withdrawal of these forces from Syria "is an issue that cannot be reconsidered until the security of our borders is fully guaranteed and the terrorist threat is completely eliminated."
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 63,746 Palestinians dead, 161,245 wounded, most of them children and women, more than 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that has killed 367 Palestinians, including 131 children.
For decades, Israel has occupied Palestine and territories in Syria and Lebanon, and refuses to withdraw from them and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the pre-1967 borders.
