ANKARA: Trkiye is escalating its efforts to counter terrorist groups seeking to exploit the unstable security environment in Syria and the surrounding region, as announced by the country's National Defense Ministry. The ministry emphasized the need for proactive measures to address these threats during a weekly news conference held in the capital. According to Anadolu Agency, Rear Adm. Zeki Akturk, a spokesman for the National Defense Ministry, stated that Trkiye is implementing preventive and destructive actions against terrorist factions attempting to capitalize on the situation following the recent collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Akturk reiterated Trkiye's firm stance on combating terrorist groups, particularly in the context of the evolving dynamics in Syria. The regime of Bashar Assad, who led Syria for 24 years, ended with his flight to Russia. Anti-regime forces have gained control of Damascus, marking the conclusion of the Baath Party's dominance, which began in 1963. This power shift has rai sed concerns over potential exploitation by terrorist organizations in the region. Trkiye has consistently undertaken measures to counteract the activities of terrorist groups in northern Syria, particularly near its border. The focus has been on combating Daesh/ISIS and the PKK/YPG. The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Trkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has waged a 40-year campaign resulting in the deaths of more than 40,000 individuals, including civilians. The YPG, an extension of the PKK in Syria, has been a focal point of Trkiye's security concerns due to its attempts to establish a terrorist corridor along the Turkish border. In response, Trkiye has deployed military forces and collaborated with local allies, such as the opposition Syrian National Army, to mitigate these threats and ensure the safety of local populations from terrorist activities.