UPDATE - Turkish intelligence clearly responded to those threatening Türkiye, says President Erdogan

ADDS REMARKS FROM TURKISH PRESIDENT

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish intelligence clearly responded to those threatening Türkiye, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

The Turkish intelligence agency, which exposed Israel's espionage network, gave a very clear response to those threatening Türkiye, Erdogan said in his address at the 97th foundation anniversary of Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in Ankara.

"It seriously surprised Israel. Just wait, these are the first steps," he said.

"You will get to know Türkiye very well."

"We are aware that Türkiye's firm and resolute stance in regional crises, particularly the massacres in Gaza, has thwarted some people's plans," said Erdogan.

"The intensification of espionage activities against our country in recent times is just one manifestation of this discomfort," he said. "Of course, we are not idle in the face of these actions."

On Dec. 5, Türkiye formally arrested 15 of the 34 suspects detained earlier on charges of espionage activities for Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, according to sources.

The arrests took place after an investigation by the Terrorism and Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau with the Istanbul prosecutor's office, focusing on international espionage.

Of the suspects, 26 were referred to a court with a request to be arrested for "political or military espionage.”

The judge's office granted the request for 15 suspects and took the rest in judicial custody.

Eight suspects, the sources said, were also handed over to the provincial immigration department for deportation.

"We valiantly defend our nation's interests in both diplomacy and military fields with the right steps at the right time," said Erdogan.

Türkiye made it impossible for the so-called leadership cadre of the PKK terror group to emerge from hideouts with pinpoint intelligence operations in Syria and Iraq, he added.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

"We will not grant the right to life to any illegal structure that targets our nation, from DAESH to FETO, from the PKK to the DHKP-C."

"I want it to be known in the Century of Türkiye that there is no place for terrorism and terrorists," he said. "Of course, it is unthinkable for Türkiye’s security concept to remain unchanged at a time when asymmetric threats have increased and diversified so much."

In addition to terrorism and foreign espionage activities, Erdogan said new threats such as irregular migration, radicalization, organized crime and Islamophobia have entered the radar of Turkish intelligence.