Security and Defense

SYRIA REQUESTS MILITARY SUPPORT FROM TURKEY

The Syrian government has requested support from Turkey to strengthen the country's defense capabilities and fight terrorist organizations, particularly Islamic State, the Defense Ministry said.

MOST SIGNIFICANT SHAKE-UP IN ARMY'S PENSION FUND SINCE 2016 COUP ATTEMPT

In the most dramatic leadership overhaul at OYAK since the 2016 coup attempt, retired Lt. Gen. Zekai Aksakallı—once a key figure in thwarting the coup—has been named chairman of the Turkish Armed Forces' influential pension fund and commercial powerhouse. OYAK announced the surprise changes just two months after its general assembly on May 17.

ASELSAN TOPS BORSA ISTANBUL IN H1 2025

ASELSAN, which led Borsa Istanbul (BIST) in trading volume in April, closed the first half of 2025 as the exchange’s most valuable company.

12 SOLDIERS KILLED, QUESTIONS UNANSWERED

The Defense Ministry announced that 12 soldiers died on July 6 from methane gas during a search of a cave previously used as a hospital by the PKK in northern Iraq. Opposition parties called for a parliamentary commission to investigate whether the necessary precautions, including the use of gas masks and detectors, were taken when the soldiers entered the cave, but this proposal was rejected by AKP and MHP votes.

AKP SEEKS TO EXTEND TOP MILITARY TENURES

Just weeks before the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meets to decide on promotions in the ranks, the ruling AKP introduced a bill to amend the Turkish Armed Forces Personnel Law, allowing force commanders to remain in office until age 72 with presidential approval.