National Security Council

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The National Security Council of the Republic of Türkiye (MGK; Turkish: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Millî Güvenlik Kurulu) is a constitutional consultative body that advises the President of Türkiye on matters related to national security and strategic interests.

Composed of Türkiye's senior state officials and the heads of defense and security institutions, and chaired by the President of Türkiye, the MGK functions as a central forum for the coordination and integration of national security policy.

The National Security Council includes representatives from the legislative and executive branches, with the Vice President and relevant ministers (such as those responsible for national defense, foreign affairs, and interior) regularly attending. The Chief of the General Staff and the commanders of the Armed Forces also participate as key members, contributing military perspectives to national security deliberations.

The Secretary-General of the MGK is appointed by the President of Türkiye and reports directly to the presidency. The Council assists the President in shaping and implementing national defense strategies and internal security policies.

Decisions taken by the MGK are consultative in nature but may lead to the issuance of presidential decrees, directives, or orders to execute policies aligned with Türkiye's national security goals.

 

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Structure of the National Security Council​

Chairman	President
Deputy Chairman	Secretary for the National Security Council
Regular attendees	Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of National Defense Minister of Energy Minister of Finance Minister of Health Minister of Justice and Human Rights Ambassador to the Global Assembly Director of the National Intelligence Organization Chief Secretary for the Prime Minister Chief of Staff to the President
Military advisor (and regular attendee)	Chief of the Defense Staff
Intelligence advisor (and regular attendee)	Director of National Intelligence
Regular attendees	Chief of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence Commander of the Gendarmire
Additional participants	Deputy National Security Advisor Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Organization Special Advisor to the President (Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy, and National Security) Director-General of the National Cybersecurity Agency

 

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REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE
Security Classification: TOP SECRET

Security Classification: CONFIDENTIAL EYES ONLY​ This physical document contains sensitive and highly classified information pertaining to the internal deliberations of the Turkish Security Council. It outlines strategic discussions on military operations, geopolitical considerations, and intelligence reports and other information deemed by the Turkish Government as constituting a national security concern and invoking the privileges of state. Unauthorized disclosure of the contents herein may compromise national security and diplomatic relations. Access is strictly limited to authorized personnel with requisite clearance. List of Attendees: Chairman President Abdullah Gül Deputy Chairman Prime Minister Ayşe Çiller Secretary Chief of Staff to the President Cevdet Yılmaz Regular Attendees Deputy Prime Minister İsmail Cem Deputy Prime Minister Meral Akşener Minister for Foreign Affairs Sümeyye Boz Çakı Minister of National Defense Turhan Tayan Minister of Finance Azmi Ekinci Minister of the Interior and Community Engin Altay Minister of Justice and Human Rights Gülcan Kış Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar Minister of Health and Public Safety Ayyüce Türkeş Taş Director of National Intelligence Service Hakan Ağçay Special Advisor to the President for Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy and National Security Mevlut Çavuşoğlu Chief Secretary for the Prime Minister Kaan Yaman Military and Intelligence Advisors Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Adnan Özbal Chief of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence General Cemal Tural Chief of the Land Forces Staff General Hulusi Akar Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu Chief of the Air Force Staff General Hasan Küçükakyüz Commander of Gendarmerie Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Colonel Abdullah Atay Director-General of the National Cybersecurity Agency Brigadier General Ahmet Turmuş Commander of Turkish Air Defense Command General Akın Öztürk

REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TOP SECRET NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: Strategic Response to Escalating PKK Activity and Regional Security Developments CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATION​ Following review of the deteriorating security situation in Southeastern Türkiye, recent mass-casualty terrorist attacks, the assault on the Aktütün Border Station, continued PKK operational activity, and increasing evidence of cross-border militant support and sanctuary, the National Security Council concludes that the Republic faces the most significant insurgent escalation in recent years. The Council assesses that immediate large-scale military intervention in either Northern Iraq or Northern Syria would be premature without a comprehensive intelligence picture regarding militant command structures, logistics networks, foreign support channels, weapons flows, and sanctuary locations. The National Security Council therefore recommends the immediate initiation of PHASE I: INTELLIGENCE PREPARATION AND STRATEGIC SHAPING OPERATIONS. OBJECTIVES Establish a complete intelligence picture of PKK and affiliated militant networks operating within Türkiye, Northern Iraq, and Northern Syria. Identify leadership targets, logistical nodes, weapons storage facilities, training camps, communications infrastructure, financial networks, and cross-border transit corridors. Determine the relative strategic value of military action in Northern Iraq versus Northern Syria. Assess foreign state and non-state support networks facilitating militant activity. Prepare the diplomatic environment for future counterterrorism operations. Develop military contingency plans for rapid implementation upon completion of intelligence collection. AGENCY TASKING National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Expand human intelligence operations across southeastern provinces. Increase penetration efforts against PKK command structures. Intensify collection regarding foreign support networks. Coordinate intelligence exchanges with partner services. Produce integrated strategic threat assessments. Establish a unified intelligence fusion cell. Deliver weekly assessments to the President and National Security Council. Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (AKGB) Conduct comprehensive battlefield preparation activities. Map insurgent infrastructure in Northern Iraq and Northern Syria. Identify priority target sets for future military operations. Assess terrain, force requirements, and operational timelines. Turkish Armed Forces Increase readiness levels of designated intervention forces. Conduct contingency planning for operations in Iraq and Syria. Expand reconnaissance and surveillance activities. Maintain operational flexibility pending Presidential authorization. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Begin consultations with key international partners. Frame future Turkish actions within internationally recognized counterterrorism principles. Highlight recent terrorist attacks and civilian casualties. Coordinate diplomatic engagement regarding regional security concerns. STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT The Council assesses that the current PKK campaign seeks to: Demonstrate continued operational relevance. Undermine public confidence in state security institutions. Provoke a premature Turkish military response. Increase international visibility of the organization. Exploit instability in neighboring states. The Council further assesses that disciplined preparation will increase the probability of operational success while reducing diplomatic, military, and political risks. FOLLOW-ON DECISION POINT Upon completion of Phase I intelligence collection, the National Security Council shall reconvene to evaluate: OPTION A – Primary focus on Northern Iraq. OPTION B – Primary focus on Northern Syria. OPTION C – Simultaneous multi-theater campaign. OPTION D – Enhanced domestic counterinsurgency supported by limited external strikes.

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