The US’s delivery of air defense systems to the PKK/YPG/PYD terrorist organization in northern Syria sparked reactions in the Turkish public. The Turkish Armed Forces made a statement condemning the US.
The National Security Council provided important evaluations on terrorism, Syria, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and developing relations with African countries.
Meanwhile, 102 athletes from Türkiye compete at the Olympic Games in Paris.
The Turkish Armed Forces condemns the US
A military reinforcement convoy consisting of 40 vehicles, including Bradley-type armored vehicles from the US military arrived in Hasakah city in northern Syria. The press reported that four Avenger Air Defense Systems, with a range of 443 km, were delivered to the PKK/YPG terrorist organizations controlling the area. The convoy, accompanied by US helicopters, also included vehicles with ammunition and prefabricated rooms. The Avenger Air Defense Systems are reportedly installed at the military base in Hasakah.
Many analysts pointed out that the new delivery to the PKK/YPG terrorist organization happened amid normalization talks between Türkiye and Syria and discussions of a joint operation in northern Syria.
The Turkish Armed Forces made a statement regarding the issue:
“The Turkish Armed Forces closely monitors every development concerning our defense and security. The US has sent Avenger Stinger Air Defense Systems to ensure the air defense of its bases in the region. Our expectation from our ally, the US, is to end all assistance and support to the PKK/YPG-SDG terrorist organization under the pretext of fighting ISIS, to understand that fighting one terrorist organization cannot be achieved by collaborating with another, and to sincerely support our fight against terrorism.”
The National Security Council’s statement on Syria
Following the National Security Council chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a statement was issued concerning terrorism, Syria, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and developing relations with African countries.
In the statement issued following the meeting it was stated that “The Council addressed the operations both domestically and abroad conducted with determination, decisiveness and success against threats and dangers to national unity from the PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG, FETÖ and ISIS terrorist organizations.”
The statement also emphasized the importance of “the cooperation of regional countries” and “the territorial integrity, sovereignty and prosperity of Iraq and Syria” to fight against terrorism.
The statement reiterated Türkiye’s support for “reaching a social consensus that includes all parties in Syria” and the determination to prevent “provocations aimed at disrupting the age-old friendship between the two peoples”. The statement also underscored that “eliminating terrorism would primarily safeguard Syria’s interests”.
The statement of the National Security Council condemned the massacres of Israel in Gaza and called on the Israeli administration to cease its attacks immediately. The statement also included warnings about a “regional war”.
The statement also addressed the issues concerning the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:
“The peace, tranquility, and security environment established on the entire island for half a century unequivocally confirms the Cyprus Peace Operation’s legitimacy and success, which Türkiye conducted within the framework of international treaties and as a guarantor country. The Cyprus issue, which is our national cause, should be resolved on the basis of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people. Our firm stance toward the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as an equal member of the international community will be maintained.”
Lastly, the statement provided an evaluation of “the long-term relationships developed between Türkiye and African countries”, particularly in Somalia, Libya, Sudan, and Niger, noting that Türkiye would continue to contribute to the peace and prosperity of its brotherly African peoples by fulfilling its responsibilities in ensuring trust and stability.
Türkiye at the Olympics
At the 33rd Summer Olympic Games in Paris, 102 athletes, 54 women and 48 men, from Türkiye compete in 18 different branches. This is Türkiye’s 24th time of participation.
Türkiye has won a total of 41 gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze medals in the Olympics so far.
Türkiye participates in athletics with 16 athletes, wrestling with 11, sailing, judo, boxing and swimming with 8 each, shooting with 7, taekwondo and gymnastics with 5 each, archery with 4, fencing and modern pentathlon with 2 each, and table tennis, badminton, cycling, weightlifting and rowing with 1 athlete each. In team sports, only the Turkish National Women’s Volleyball Team compete in the games.
Türkiye won its first Olympic medals in wrestling at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. National wrestler Ahmet Kireççi became the first athlete to win a medal for Türkiye by earning a bronze medal at the Berlin Olympic Games. Wrestler Yaşar Erkan won first place in the 61 kg freestyle at the same Olympic Games.
Türkiye won its first women’s medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with Hülya Şenyurt with a bronze medal in judo.
Wrestling has been Türkiye’s most successful sport in the Olympics. Turkish athletes have won 66 of the 104 medals in wrestling, including 29 gold, 18 silver, and 19 bronze medals.
Turkish athletes have won 11 medals in weightlifting, 9 in taekwondo, 7 in boxing, 4 in karate, 3 in athletics, 2 in judo, and 1 in archery and 1 in gymnastics.