Drone warfare

Iran's top diplomat has said Tehran understands Türkiye's security concerns stemming from northern Syria amid Ankara's vows over a new military incursion against the presence of the terrorist organizations.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke to Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on June 25  about the country's bid to join NATO, a statement by the communications directorate has said. 

According to the statement, Erdoğan said Stockholm needs to change its attitude towards PKK terror organization and its Syria branch YPG. 

Displaced Syrians who live in tent camps near the Turkish border are hoping to return homes once Türkiye goes ahead with the planned military operation to clear the Tal Rifaat and Manbij regions of terrorists.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on June 13 he was "glad" that the Swedish government has confirmed its "readiness to address Turkey's concerns as part of assuming the obligations of future NATO membership."

After decades of military non-alignment, Russia's war in Ukraine pushed Finland and Sweden to apply to join NATO in May.

Following Ankara's announcement of an upcoming military incursion in northern Syria, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army has deployed some 5,000 armed men in the region to act with the Turkish army to clear Tal Rifaat and Manbij provinces of PKK/YPG terrorists.

"We can take Tal Rifaat in 24 hours with Turkish soldiers," SNA commanders said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Turkish army has started hitting some PKK/YPG targets in northern Syria's Tal Rifaat and Manbij districts with cannon fire as the preparations for an upcoming crossover military operation, aimed to be conducted for safe return of some 500,000 Syrians, are ongoing.

No one should try to prevent Turkey from conducting a military operation in Syria's north to secure its borders, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said.

"We act as principled, open, transparent and in compliance with international law as much as possible in all our activities," Akar told a group of journalists following a cabinet meeting late on June 6.

Turkey will address its security concerns in northern Syria with new operations against the YPG group, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on June 5.

"We will address security concerns with new operations," the president said, addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party's 30th Consultation and Assessment meeting.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said if Sweden and Finland want to be NATO members, they should understand the security concerns of an ally and act in a way to eliminate those concerns.

Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has neutralized an alleged high-ranking PKK terrorist in the northern Iraq city of Sulaymaniyah, Demirören News Agency has reported.

"Mehmet Doğan, codenamed 'Dılhaz Gabar,' was neutralized in an operation conducted by MİT in the Cemcemal neighborhood of Sulaymaniyah," the agency reported on June 2.