No chemical weapons in Turkish military's inventory: Defense chief

By Sarp Ozer

EDIRNE, Türkiye (AA) - Türkiye's defense minister on Friday rejected fabricated allegations by PKK terrorists on the use of chemical weapons by the army, saying there are no chemical weapons in the military's inventory.

"Some groups of sedition sometimes put forward some slanders. They try their best to both confuse people and demoralize the Turkish soldiers with lies. There are no chemical weapons in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces," Hulusi Akar said at an event in the northwestern Edirne province.

Akar said a criminal complaint was filed and a legal process was launched against claims, adding: "Those who did this will be held accountable in court."

"We strongly condemn this action, which was carried out to shadow the collapse of the terrorist organization and to provide assistance and support to it," he said.

In its operations, Türkiye has a sensitivity not to harm civilians, innocent people, historical, religious, cultural structures and environment, Akar reiterated.

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 over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Diyar Guldogan in Ankara