Water sleeps, but enemy never rests

Great efforts have been made since the first day of the earthquakes that hit Türkiye to rescue those stuck under rubble, and to help those affected by the disaster. Of course, police and gendarme organizations, as well as the armed forces were all mobilized during this process.

The number of security forces on the ground increased gradually as the damage caused on the highways by the earthquake was eliminated, and harsh winter conditions eased. According to reports, there are currently 77,000 police, 64,000 gendarmes, and 38,000 Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) personnel working on the ground. In fact, the commando units that have an active role in anti-terrorism efforts, are also actively involved in the help operations. I was personally present in the earthquake area. The presence of security forces in the earthquake area is sensed corporeally.

Meanwhile, terrorist organizations, whose sole aim is to harm Türkiye, the Turkish nation, and state, see disasters as an opportunity to increase their attacks. I asked my sources in security bureaucracy whether terrorist organizations’ attacks increased while Türkiye’s full focus is on the disaster, and the current situation with respect to anti-terrorism efforts. In the final analysis, “water sleeps, but the enemy never rests.”

According to the information I gathered, the transport of personnel sent to the area was planned specifically to prevent any weakness in border security. Security units, though focused on the disaster, providing help, and peace and order in the area, they are continuing to closely follow all terrorist organization actions as well.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist organization took advantage of the disaster in Türkiye to both sneak in from the border, and boost its entrenchment, as well as a concentration within the organization. They attempted certain attacks immediately following the earthquake. For example, they conducted two multiple rocket launcher attacks on the first day on border forces. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the attack. As many as 13 terrorists were neutralized in the counter-attack. Additionally, a pinpoint operation was also conducted in north Syria immediately following the earthquake. It is reported that a top-level PKK terrorist was neutralized in this operation – which was not shared publicly. His identity will be revealed in the upcoming days.

The PKK, whose efforts to attack and sneak in through the border failed, moved its terror operations to – pay attention to this because it is critical – the digital realm. My sources in security bureaucracy state that upon seeing there is no weakness in border security, the terrorist organization directed all its strength to disinformation operations on social media. Accordingly, the terrorist organization is striving to break the social peace, interrupt help efforts, and harm state-community relations by spreading misinformation, sensational claims, and disinformation through fake accounts.

In fact, they are trying to do this in cooperation with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). The cooperation between the two terrorist organizations in the post-2015 period, during the trench events, the claim that FETÖ provided intelligence through its network within the state to the PKK at certain critical points, causing harm to operations, with some troops and police martyred, as a result, was one of the most discussed topics of the time. They are cooperating similarly now to produce disinformation over the disaster.

Terrorist organizations use applications such as Telegram, online platforms such as Twitter, and Ekşi Sözlük, with high followings within the scope of their disinformation and black propaganda activities. The disinformation produced through fake accounts is circulated through said platforms.

The last striking example was the “Troops are looting aid boxes” disinformation. It is said this claim was first mentioned on Ekşi Sözlük. It was shared by a fellow journalist, Taha Hüseyin Karagöz, who went to the earthquake area for duty. Barış Boyraz, whose social media bio title reads “journalist,” was one of the other people who ensured this disinformation spread. He works for Medya Haber TV, known to be a media outlet affiliated with the PKK terrorist organization. He collaborates with Vahdettin Tayfur, who uses the alias Amed Dicle and lives in Belgium – and whose social media bio title also says “journalist.” This duo frequently shares disinformation content along the lines of, “aid is seized, aid sent to villages are prevented, and children in the earthquake area are kidnapped.” Posts by these PKK-affiliated accounts are supported by FETÖ members.

Keep in mind: Fighting terrorism or disinformation is not solely the duty of troops or the police. Everyone who loves their country must assume responsibility. Remaining alert against propaganda and disinformation by terrorist organizations can make us a part of this struggle.