Turkish armed forces slam media reports attacking the army

Some media organs in Turkey recently published documents claiming the armed forces had a plan to manipulate public opinion against the ruling AKP. Other reports had said the armed forces were acknowledged the so-called "Daglica attack" of PKK, which resulted in deaths of more than 10 soldiers in October. Â

 

"A long-lasting smear campaign conducted by certain circles against the Turkish Armed Forces recently had escalated through print and broadcast media, including internet. Turkish Armed Forces expect these multi-dimensional and systematic activities, which are against the Turkish Armed Forces, would continue in the future and the developments are being monitored closely," the Turkish army said in a statement posted in its website.

 

Turkish Armed Forces had been uncomfortable with the recent news stories. Taraf newspaper published a document that allegedly belonged to the army, showing that they were in preparations to manipulate the public opinion using the media tools to promote secularism and denounce the anti-secular activities.

 

The same newspaper also said the armed forces had had an early intelligence report on the Daglica attack by PKK terrorists. PKK had attacked a border station in Daglica in October and 13 soldiers were killed in the clashes. The incident created a huge public reaction and is seen as one of the main drivers behind Turkey's cross-border operation against PKK positions in northern Iraq in February.

 

Turkish armed forces said in its statement that this message was "accurate" and aimed at warning all related units who are exposed to certain threats. It added that such warnings are "standard procedures", and the security levels were increased in the units in the region so that the attack was prevented to reach its "real aim".

 

"Turkish Armed Forces acknowledge that they face an orchestrated and hateful attack by certain circles. There is no doubt that the Turkish Armed Forces will take the precautions for self-protection. The most important assurances of the Turkish Armed Forces against such attacks are the judicial bodies and the infallible justice of the Turkish judiciary," it added in its statement.