President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Thursday that Türkiye acts wherever needed beyond its borders to protect its security, eliminating threats at their origin without seeking permission from others.

Speaking at an iftar program with families of martyrs at Çankaya Mansion in the capital Ankara, Erdoğan said that significant progress has been made in efforts toward a “terror-free Türkiye.”

“There has been a serious decrease in security risks directed at our country, both within and beyond our borders,” he said.

Referring to terrorism, Erdoğan said: “We are determined to rid Türkiye forever of this scourge that has burned the hearts of our nation for nearly half a century.”

He noted that thanks to operations by the armed forces and other security units, “we have significantly restricted the mobility of terrorist groups.”

“Today, we can meet almost all our needs ourselves in nearly every field, including UAVs, armed UAVs, missiles, rockets, ships, helicopters and tanks,” he said.

He further added that an agreement was reached last month to resolve the issue in northern Syria without bloodshed, adding that “the process leading to full integration has begun.”

Erdoğan said the government’s commission overseeing counterterrorism efforts has been working since Aug. 5 and completed its findings on Wednesday.

He also pointed to “positive developments” in neighboring Syria, highlighting last month’s agreement aimed at resolving the situation in northern Syria without further bloodshed.

“We reached an understanding last month on solving the problem in northern Syria without bloodshed,” he said. “God willing, we will bring these efforts to their destination safely.”

Erdoğan emphasized that security risks targeting Türkiye have “seriously decreased” thanks to operations conducted both at home and across the border.

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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Thursday that Türkiye is ready to provide assistance in training Gaza’s new police force as part of efforts to revive the enclave’s local administration, stressing that restoring core governance and security structures is essential for stabilizing Gaza and providing vital services to Palestinians.

Speaking to reporters in Washington after attending the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace on behalf of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Fidan said the priority in the second phase of the Gaza peace plan is to re-establish functional local governance capable of providing health, education, policing and essential services to the enclave’s population.

Fidan said the creation and training of a new police force for Gaza is underway to ensure local security and public order.

“This is essential for any functioning administration,” he said. Fidan reiterated that Türkiye is ready to contribute to security arrangements if requested.

The newly appointed U.S. high representative for Gaza said Thursday that recruitment has begun for a transitional police force intended to assume security responsibilities from Hamas, with more than 2,000 applicants submitting forms within hours.

“Gaza needs a local administration that can stand on its feet and deliver services to 2 million people,” Fidan said, emphasizing that reconstruction and stabilization cannot succeed without rebuilding administrative capacity. He noted that the meeting served as a platform for member states to declare their contributions and coordinate efforts.

Fidan underscored that Türkiye has been providing uninterrupted humanitarian assistance since the first day of Israel’s genocidal attacks – through both state institutions and civil society – and will continue doing so. He said Ankara is in talks to increase the flow of supplies through the Rafah crossing, including container-based aid shipments to replace tents, and is working on expanding medical support ranging from field treatment to transferring wounded Palestinians to Türkiye.

Fidan also highlighted the broader diplomatic context, noting resumed contact between the United States and Iran. The process that began in Istanbul has brought Americans and Iranians back into dialogue, he said. He noted that there was reason for hope, amid fears of increased military activitiy. “Our wish is that a negotiated path is reached without the need for war,” he added.

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U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday thanked Türkiye for its role in advancing the Gaza peace process, praising the cooperation between Ankara, Doha and Cairo during the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace in Washington.

The first session of the Gaza Board of Peace, chaired by President Trump, was held at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended on behalf of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, representing Türkiye in the new initiative.

Witkoff highlighted the joint mediation efforts that helped pave the way for the current cease-fire in Gaza.

“There has been wonderful cooperation among the leaders of Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye, who mediated this process,” he said. Addressing Fidan directly, he added, “Hakan Fidan, you are a wonderful person, and so is President Erdoğan.”

The envoy emphasized that coordination between the United States and Türkiye, along with Egypt and Qatar, played a crucial role in advancing diplomatic efforts in Gaza. Witkoff expressed appreciation to all three countries individually for their contributions, underscoring their importance in moving the process forward.

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The Turkish Parliament’s adoption of the “Terror-Free Türkiye Report” has marked a new phase in the government’s counterterrorism efforts, shifting attention to a verification and reporting mechanism seen as a prerequisite for upcoming legal reforms.

The report finalized by the parliamentary Commission on National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy on Wednesday, after months of deliberations since Aug. 5, 2025, outlines a road map for the continuation of the process. It stresses that legal arrangements can move forward only after the disarmament of the terrorist organization is verified and confirmed.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, lawmakers will not require the surrender of the “last weapon” as a condition for legal reforms. Instead, reaching a certain threshold in the disarmament process will be deemed sufficient. As an example, the evacuation of areas stretching toward Kandil in northern Iraq, including Metina, Hakurk and Gara, has been cited as a possible benchmark.

Developments on the ground are being monitored by the National Defense Ministry and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT). The two institutions are expected to submit a joint assessment to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the coming weeks, detailing the current stage of the disarmament process. Erdoğan is then expected to assign a specific body to oversee and monitor the next phase.

Officials say regional dynamics have influenced the pace of the process. Disarmament efforts by the PKK had slowed amid tensions related to the YPG’s failure to adhere to a March 10 agreement. However, following the YPG’s deal to integrate with the Syrian administration, activity on the ground has resumed, and the pace of weapons surrender and cave evacuations has accelerated.

If the current momentum continues, authorities believe the necessary threshold for formal verification could be reached by late March, paving the way for legal steps to begin in Parliament as early as April.

The report also emphasizes that the verification mechanism must operate in coordination among state institutions and be based on objective, measurable, transparent and auditable criteria. It underlines that the process will not be limited to declaring the end of an armed threat but will also serve as a starting point for implementing a new legal and policy framework.

On the other hand, in a statement posted on X, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik also said Türkiye is advancing its “terror-free Türkiye and terror-free region” goals with what he described as strong principles, strategic patience and coordinated state action.

Çelik noted that President Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli have demonstrated a “clear will” guiding the process, which he described as a state-led project supported by all institutions.

He said the initiative aims to strengthen domestic unity and regional solidarity, adding that Türkiye would continue to promote what he described as civilized values and democratic principles in the face of global challenges.

“The goal of a terror-free Türkiye and a terror-free region is for the future of every member of our nation and every one of our brothers and sisters among the peoples of neighboring countries. With a political wisdom distilled over centuries and grounded solely in our nation, we will further strengthen our resolve to rid our country and our region of terrorism,” he added.

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NATO officials have praised Türkiye’s major contribution to the alliance’s largest exercise of the year, highlighting the strong presence of Turkish forces and the performance of advanced drone capabilities.

Col. Matthias Boehnke, spokesperson for NATO’s Joint Force Command Brunssum, said Türkiye was the leading contributor to the Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise, which is being conducted in Germany and the Baltic region.

“Türkiye is the nation providing the largest contribution to this exercise. The core forces and a significant portion of the units come from Türkiye,” Boehnke said during a media and distinguished visitors day at the Putlos training area on the Baltic Sea.

The Steadfast Dart 2026 exercise, NATO’s largest of the year, tests the rapid deployment and integration of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF). Running from January to March 2026, it involves around 10,000 personnel from 11 NATO countries.

The exercise is organized by Joint Force Command Brunssum, one of NATO’s three operational joint commands alongside Naples and Norfolk, and aims to test the alliance’s rapid deployment and interoperability capabilities.

Boehnke also noted the significance of the deployment of the amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu, which is operating far from its usual area for the first time.

“The large vessel you see behind us is Anadolu. This marks one of the first missions in which the ship has deployed beyond the Mediterranean, operating here in the Baltic Sea,” he said.

The maritime phase included an amphibious landing operation involving Spanish units and a large contingent of Turkish forces, demonstrating NATO’s ability to conduct complex joint operations.

NATO officials also highlighted the debut of Türkiye’s Bayraktar TB3 drone on the international stage during the exercise. The drone’s ability to operate from TCG Anadolu was described as a key capability.

“I believe its performance has been highly successful,” Boehnke said. “Unmanned systems are central to modern warfare. They are vital for reconnaissance, operational effectiveness and, ultimately, for saving lives.”

He added that the integration of drone operations with a naval platform significantly enhanced the overall value of the exercise.

Addressing reports about Ukrainian participation, Boehnke clarified that Ukrainian troops were not part of the Allied Reaction Force taking part in the drills, which consists primarily of Turkish, Italian and Spanish units.

However, Ukrainian personnel were invited separately to share their battlefield experience, particularly lessons learned from drone warfare and counter-drone operations.

“They are not participants in the exercise itself,” Boehnke said. “But they have been invited to present their operational experience and insights into modern warfare.”

Fifteen ships and 2,600 personnel from Türkiye, France, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain participated in the operation.

Türkiye joined NATO on Feb. 18, 1952. The alliance was founded in 1949.

Over the past 74 years, leveraging its strategic location, Türkiye has continued to make critical contributions to NATO as the first ally in the region to directly confront threats and risks, particularly in the fight against terrorism.

Among 32 allies, Türkiye ranks seventh in contributing to the alliance’s budget. Its total contribution is expected to amount to 300 million euros (just over $355 million) this year and to rise to 620 million euros in 2030.

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Türkiye on Thursday criticized Greece’s agreement with Chevron for hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete, calling the move contrary to international law and good neighborly ties.

“We oppose this unlawful activity, which is being attempted in violation of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Jurisdiction between Libya and our country,” the Turkish Defense Ministry said at its weekly press briefing.

It noted that the activity, while not directly impacting Türkiye’s continental shelf in the region, also violated Libya’s maritime jurisdiction declared to the United Nations on May 27, 2025.

“We continue to provide the necessary support to the Libyan authorities to take action against these unilateral and unlawful activities by Greece,” the ministry said.

The Chevron-led consortium signed exclusive lease agreements on Monday to look for natural gas off southern Greece, expanding the United States’ presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The 2019 agreement signed by Türkiye and Libya set out maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean Sea and was rejected by Greece as it ignored the presence of the Greek island of Crete between the coasts of Türkiye and Libya.

The Chevron deal doubles the amount of Greek maritime acreage available for exploration and is the second in months involving a U.S. energy major as the European Union seeks to phase out supplies from Russia and the U.S. seeks to replace them.

As neighbors and NATO members, Türkiye and Greece have been ‌at odds ‌over a range of issues for decades, primarily maritime boundaries and rights in ‌the Aegean, an area widely believed to hold energy resources and with key implications for airspace and military activity.

Relations with Somalia

Responding to questions about recent developments in Somalia and the status of Turkish troops in the country, the ministry also said Türkiye’s training, advisory and support activities aimed at ensuring security and stability in the friendly nation were continuing with increasing scope as part of its contributions to international stability.

The statement said Türkiye would continue to provide security for ongoing drilling operations as well as for the “Space Port and Test Launch Site” being built in Somalia, and to offer maximum support to counterterrorism operations carried out by the Somali National Army. It added that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) would maintain effective deterrence through their presence and support in Somalia.

Somalia’s territorial integrity also matters for Türkiye, which is a major partner of Mogadishu, especially in the wake of Israel’s controversial recognition of breakaway Somaliland. Ankara has joined other countries to condemn the recognition by its major foe in the Middle East, which looks to expand its footprint in Africa, where Türkiye also emerged as a key actor in the past two decades under the leadership of President Erdoğan.

On Feb. 5, Somalia’s federal Cabinet approved a series of major maritime trade agreements, including a new cooperation deal with Türkiye that covers maritime trade developments, ship traffic improvements, port service modernization, mutual recognition of seafaring certificates of competency, technical cooperation and know-how sharing, ensuring equality in port services, and the facilitation of commercial activities.

The Türkiye-Somalia cooperation has developed in a multidimensional way since 2011, especially in the economy, education, health, infrastructure and development.

Moreover, it was recently announced that Türkiye’s new deep-drilling ship Çağrı Bey left for Somalia from the southern province of Mersin to begin the operation for oil exploration.

It is the second Turkish vessel to be deployed in Somali waters after Oruç Reis. It is also the first drilling ship to be deployed outside Turkish waters.

The research and seismic vessel Oruç Reis was dispatched to Somalia from Istanbul in October 2024, and it completed its mission in the summer of last year.

Türkiye, which enjoys close ties with Somalia, has a strong cooperation with Mogadishu in a number of areas, from energy to defense to infrastructure investments. The two governments have signed several deals on cooperation in recent years.

Developments in Syria

Regarding the latest developments in Syria, the ministry stressed that, “Türkiye expects the integration process between the Syrian government and the YPG to be completed swiftly,” adding that authorities are closely monitoring developments on the ground and taking all necessary measures in line with Türkiye’s interests.

The statement also noted that there is no alternative to an integration that reinforces Syria’s unitary structure and upholds the principle of “one state and one army.”

The Syrian Army launched an operation against the YPG on Jan. 16 in areas west of the Euphrates River. The operation later expanded east of the river with the participation of tribal forces, leading to all of the territories previously occupied by the group coming under government control.

On Jan. 18, the Syrian government and theYPG reached a comprehensive cease-fire and full integration agreement, outlining sweeping measures to restore state authority in the northeast.

Syrian security forces and administrative bodies have entered areas previously controlled by the YPG, including Hassakeh, Qamishli and Ain al-Arab (Kobani), as well as strategic facilities such as airports, oil fields, and border crossings.

The agreement provides for the gradual handover of security responsibilities, the deployment of state institutions, and the integration of YPG forces into official government structures.

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