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In the wake of President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declaring that Turkey has withdrawn its 40 soldiers from the NATO drill in Norway, the NATO has issued a statement.
The NATO confirmed the information given by Erdoğan that Atatürk’s photos were used in the enemy chart and announced that actions were taken on those who were responsible for the incident.
“They placed images of me and Atatürk on enemy board”, Erdoğan said.
The drill began on November 8. Turkey has withdrawn its 40 soldiers from the drill that will end tomorrow (November 18).
Joint War Center (JWC) Commander Andrzej Reudowicz issued an apology letter concerning the matter. Hürriyet daily newspaper reported that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg apologized to Turkey for the incident.
Atatürk was used among the enemy photos
Two incidents occurred during the drill. The first incident was about the photo of Atatürk.
“Biography of Enemy Leaders” was prepared within the frame of background documents about the simulation in the JWC. However, the technician who made the preparations placed Atatürk’s statue in these biographies.
NATO announced that the technician was discharged.
An account in the name of Erdoğan
In the second incident, a civilian personnel from the Norwegian Armed Forces opened a fake account named “Recep Tayyip Erdoğan” on an online chat platform used within a simulation in a headquarter in the Netherlands.
The personnel gave the message in the simulation that President Erdoğan gets in contact with “the leaders of enemy state” and cooperate with them.
The personnel was discharged after the incident was uncovered. (HK/TK)
