Star published documents yesterday showing that military intelligence units in the region were mobilized to monitor various activities of NGOs in İskenderun at the order of the 6th Army Corps Command, mostly on suspicion of “reactionaryism,” during the period when the PKK was preparing for the May 31 attack by taking photos and videos of the naval base. A document bearing the signature of Col. Çetin Hepbıçakçı lists these activities between April and August 2009 in the section titled “information gathered.”
According to allegations raised by a daily publication yesterday, the military was focusing on actions of religious individuals in İskenderun it suspected of being reactionary, about the same time when the PKK was preparing for its deadly May 31 attack on an İskenderun naval base. Seven Turkish sailors died and six others were injured in the attack |
Some of the activities whose inclusion in the list raised eyebrows were: “During the Blessed Birth Week [an annual week of activities sponsored by Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate to honor the Prophet of Islam] activities held at the Erzin İmam-hatip High School, the way Prophet Muhammad treated his family was discussed and halva and rosewater were distributed; a signature campaign was launched by a group of students at the İskenderun Vocational High School asking for the opening of a mescid in the school building; an Astroturf soccer match was organized by the Anadolu Gençlik Association [Anatolian Youth]; an event titled ‘Competing and Living with Books’ was held by the İskenderun Hizmet Association, which was also attended by Justice and Development Party [AK Party] officials; an event titled Mathematics Olympiads was held by the Gülen college operating in İskenderun; an event titled ‘Science and Arts Fest’ was held by the Gülen college operating in İskenderun; Radio İhsan, broadcasting in Osmaniye, launched its fifth Quran campaign and the aim of the campaign was to distribute Quran to those attending summer Quran courses and those who do not have a Quran at their homes; Civil Servants’ Trade Union [Memur-Sen] President Ahmet Gündoğdu, who attended a dinner at the union’s İskenderun branch, said, ‘Nobody can prevent headscarf-wearing students from universities, including the judiciary’.”
The İskenderun attack, carried out by PKK terrorists, killed seven Turkish sailors and injured six others early on May 31. The attack was the first time the PKK had targeted a naval base. Claims emerged after the attack that authorities had received prior intelligence of the attack.
Various Turkish dailies reported that photographic and video evidence retrieved from the terrorist PKK operatives killed in clashes with the Turkish military in two separate incidents last year had foretold the deadly İskenderun attack. Military authorities reportedly examined photographs and video footage retrieved from the bodies of PKK members and then established a military commission to visit the bases connected to the footage. The commission members spoke with the commanders of each base, showing them the images and stating that there was the possibility of raids on their bases. This all took place more than five months ago, on Dec. 16, 2009, when meeting minutes show that the base commanders and commission members participated in “brainstorming over what kind of preventative measures could be taken against the present threat of terrorist action.”
The official report prepared by the commission was undersigned by Hatay Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Col. Vedat Çolak, staff officer Lt. Col. Agah Çelik and Gendarmerie 1st Lt. Gökhan Bakışkan. The report noted that evidence found on the bodies of PKK terrorists killed in clashes on July 17 and Aug. 7, 2009, indicated that two military locations were under threat of attack. The commission conducted official visits to the two locations on Dec. 16, 2009, and later to other commanding officers in charge of security.
Despite the advance warning, the attack took place, leaving seven Turkish soldiers dead when the PKK fired rockets and other long-range weapons during a change in guard shifts on May 31.
