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Türkiye's National Defense Minister Yasar Guler said the effects of the U.S.-Iran's war spreading across the region, Israel's attacks on Gaza and other regional countries, and the Russia-Ukraine war have made "threat dynamics more complex and multidimensional than ever before."
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Special Forces Command's 18th Specialization Course, where he also cited ongoing conflicts and crises in different parts of the world.
"In particular, the effects of the war between the U.S. and Iran spreading across the region, Israel's attacks on Gaza and other regional countries, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing conflicts and crises in different geographies have made threat dynamics more complex and multidimensional than ever before," Guler said.
Guler attended the closing ceremony for the course, from which the Special Forces Command's "maroon berets" graduated, accompanied by Chief of General Staff Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.
He congratulated the graduates who successfully completed the demanding training required to earn the designation.
"Our maroon berets have written epics in the fight against terrorism we have sustained for years, carrying out their duties heroically and with great sacrifice, and have played an important role in bringing terrorism to the point of ending," Guler said.
The Turkish minister said that amid this sensitive period, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) continue carrying out their duties effectively, with deterrence and respect, using all branches of the military both domestically and across the border.
He said Special Forces have played a critical role in the military's overall effectiveness and success.
"Alongside the fight against terrorism, our maroon berets have also shown outstanding success in the other duties they have undertaken. I congratulate our maroon berets for their great determination, effort and courage, and I salute them," he said.
Guler said success in today's combat environment depends not merely on numerical superiority but on versatile, well-equipped personnel.
He said rapidly evolving technologies have changed the nature of the battlefield and that units capable of adapting quickest to change, with broad operational scope, deep impact and high maneuverability, have become the most valuable force multipliers for modern militaries.
"Special Forces are also one of the most strategic elements of this new warfare concept," Guler said.
"Turkish Special Forces stand out as among the most elite units in the world through their multidimensional capabilities, including high physical fitness, mental resilience, tactical depth and technical capacity," he added.
The Turkish minister said what makes Special Forces distinctive goes beyond capability and resources; it is courage, sacrifice, devotion to the homeland, unshakable discipline and an absolute sense of duty.
"The maroon beret worn by our Special Forces is, beyond being a symbol, a powerful representation of the national and spiritual values you carry," he said.
"Many turning points in our glorious history have been shaped by the devotion and effort of countless patriots like you. Today, you too are heroic soldiers following in the footsteps of that great legacy, taking on historic responsibility and standing ready for duty," the minister added.
Guler said Special Forces members must be ready for duty at all times and under any circumstances.
"There is no obstacle you cannot overcome, no goal you cannot reach, when you act with awareness of your qualities and abilities," he said.
"As a result of the training you have received, you are joining the ranks of this sacred institution equipped not only with professional knowledge but also with a will of steel, an unwavering sense of discipline and a high degree of self-sacrifice. Know that a member of the Special Forces is obligated not just to be good but to always be the best. Because maroon berets are not personnel who fill gaps, they are personnel who cannot be replaced," Guler noted.
The defense minister said expectations of Special Forces members extend beyond following orders to include multidimensional analytical thinking, foresight, the ability to make rapid decisions in the field, and the capacity to overcome major challenges alone when necessary.
He said continuous learning and staying one step ahead are essential.
"You are not just carrying a weapon or a uniform; you are also carrying the responsibility for our country's security and future on your shoulders," he said.
Guler also addressed the Terror-Free Türkiye process, saying a strong military remains, as it has been, the strongest guarantee of the country's security, the nation's peace and the stability sought in the region.
He said the current point reached in the counterterrorism fight is the result of a multidimensional struggle sustained with great sacrifice for nearly 40 years and of historic successes achieved in the field, particularly in recent years.
Guler said the sacrifices of fallen soldiers and the courage of veterans underpinned the country's achievements, from securing the borders to eliminating the operational capacity of terrorist organizations in northern Syria and Iraq.
"Today, at this point, the Terror-Free Türkiye process carried out under the leadership of our president aims to make permanent the security gains achieved through this struggle and to remove terrorism from our country's and nation's agenda for good," Guler said.
"The greatest goal of this process is to further strengthen our thousand-year-old brotherhood, reinforce our social cohesion, make an environment of peace and trust permanent, and direct all of our country's resources toward development, production and prosperity," he added.
Güler said steps taken as part of the National Solidarity and Social Cohesion Strengthening Law, recently passed by an overwhelming majority in parliament, marked a historic step toward the Terror-Free Türkiye goal.
The Turkish minister also referenced the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, saying Türkiye has taken on multidimensional policies and solution-oriented initiatives amid a global security architecture whose foundations are shaking and where uncertainty is rising.
"Our country has become one of the indispensable actors at negotiating tables and within the international security architecture," Guler said.
"The Joint Defense Agreement we most recently signed in Mecca clearly demonstrates our country's influence on the international stage and the strong partnerships it has developed," he added.
Guler said the strong will demonstrated by three brotherly and friendly countries with broad, critical capabilities embracing collective deterrence is extremely important for establishing and sustaining regional and global security, peace and stability.
"In every step we take, we work with great effort to most effectively protect the rights and interests of our country and nation, and we are moving with confident steps toward our Türkiye Century goals," he said.
Guler closed by congratulating the maroon berets who successfully completed the Special Forces Specialization Course, as well as visiting military personnel from friendly and allied countries, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Azerbaijan and Libya, who also graduated from the course.
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