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Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense (MoND) said that Israel's political decision to recognize the 1915 events as "genocide" is nothing more than an attempt to conceal its own crimes. It also condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Syria and urged Israel to immediately halt what it called escalatory attacks in the region.
Speaking at the ministry's weekly press briefing at the Ay Yildiz (the star and crescent) Joint Headquarters on Thursday, MoND press adviser and spokesman Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk stated that the Israeli government's acceptance of a political decision regarding the 1915 events is merely an effort to conceal its own actions, noting that Israel is currently facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice and its leaders are subject to arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Responding to a question about Israel's attacks on Syria, the ministry said: "The attacks carried out against Syria are damaging Syria's territorial integrity, stability and security. We state that Israel must immediately stop its attacks aimed at escalating existing tensions in the region."
"Furthermore, we call upon the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) stationed on the Israeli-Syrian border, whose mandate was extended by six months as of June 29, 2026, to fulfill its mission and take the necessary measures in the face of these attacks by Israel that violate the rules of law."
Akturk also said in the briefing that Israel is continuing its attacks in the region despite the agreement reached with Lebanon, and is also carrying out attacks in Quneitra and Daraa that disregard Syria's sovereignty as well as the safety of its people's lives and property.
He emphasized that the international community must adopt a more resolute stance and take concrete steps against Israel's "expansionist, destabilizing and provocative policies."
"In this context, we once again underline the importance of relevant parties adopting a sensible and responsible approach in the negotiations underway between the U.S. and Iran, as a path toward achieving lasting peace and stability in the region," Akturk stated.
Akturk said the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8 will include a reception for visiting defense ministers and senior NATO representatives at the Ay Yildiz Joint Headquarters, which he described as one of the world's largest military headquarters.
He said the summit would confirm the alliance's unwavering commitment to collective defense, strengthen its adaptation to the changing security environment and shared deterrence approach, and further shape its forward-looking strategic orientation.
He noted that the summit's Defense Industry Forum is expected to boost defense investments, foster transatlantic industrial cooperation, and ultimately reinforce the alliance's defense and deterrence posture
Addressing Turkish aid efforts for earthquake-hit communities in Venezuela, Akturk said two Turkish Air Force A400M aircraft delivered humanitarian aid personnel to Venezuela on June 27. Search-and-rescue (SAR) teams from the Turkish Armed Forces' Humanitarian Aid Brigade Command and AFAD personnel are actively continuing their operations in the affected area, he said.
"We extend our sympathies to the Venezuelan people affected by the earthquakes and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," he said.
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