Director of Communications Prof. Fahrettin Altun made a statement condemning the deliberate attacks of the terrorist organization PKK/PYD-YPG against journalists.
In addition, the Directorate of Communications published a text containing the issues that the press members working in the region should follow to protect themselves from the attacks.
Prof. Altun posted a tweet, noting: "The terrorist organization PKK/PYD-YPG has repeatedly attacked journalists covering Operation Peace Spring in an attempt to cover up the truth. The press corps, like the people of northeastern Syria, will breathe a sigh of relief as Turkey removes terrorists from its borders.”
The statement of Fahrettin Altun is as follows:
"The terrorist organization PKK/PYD-YPG has carried out a series of sniper attacks against journalists covering Operation Peace Spring near the Turkish-Syrian border.
Several reporters have been treated for injuries that they suffered in said assaults. I spoke by phone with the journalists in question and wished them a speedy recovery.
We urge the international community to join us in condemning those attacks in the strong possible terms. We hope that those claiming the terrorist group does not pose a threat to Turkey and shares certain universal values can draw valuable lessons from what happened.
We assess that the terrorists did not target specific news outlets but opened fire with the intent to intimidate the press corps and create an atmosphere of fear near the Turkish-Syrian border.
The sniper attacks against reporters demonstrated yet again that the PKK/PYD-YPG terrorists have no respect for the public's right to know or their target's right to life.
It is hard to imagine that reporters, who are currently in northern Syria, are operating freely- not to mention the civilian population that has been living under the same organization's iron fist for years.
Turkey is committed to the safety of all media personnel near its southern border. In light of the recent attacks on journalists, I have instructed my office to issue an advisory for journalists reporting from the area.
We urge all journalists to adhere to said guidelines until the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Syrian National Army, push the terrorists away from our borders."
Important Points for Press Members to Protect Themselves from Deliberate Attacks of Terrorist Organization PKK/PYD-YPG Working on the Border
- Safety of life must come first; reporting must always come second,
- You must always wear a bulletproof vest and helmet while on the ground,
- For your life safety, you must keep away from spots that can make you an open target,
- You must fully observe the guidance of officials in charge,
- Considering that the terrorist organization attacks everyone including babies, children and women; press members must always keep in mind that they are also targets,
- You must make short broadcasts and avoid long broadcasts that can expose you as a target.
- You must avoid using spotlight while broadcasting in the dark and, if possible, broadcast over the phone only (without filming),
- You must not wear clothes that look like military camouflage or uniforms,
- You must, if possible, avoid broadcasting from heights (balconies, rooftops, hills etc.),
- You must avoid sharing detailed information that may reveal your exact location,
- Terrorist organization PKK/YPG considers the press members working in the region as much of a threat as the security forces, since they disseminate the news about the activities, actions and attacks of the terrorist organization across the world and Turkey.