ANKARA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Defense Ministry on Thursday dismissed social media claims of "mass migration movements" from Iran toward the Turkish border amid escalating regional tensions.
"Posts and reports on social media claiming that there are mass migration movements from Iran toward our borders in connection with the developments that began with Israel and the U.S. attacking Iran do not reflect the truth," ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk said at a weekly press briefing.
Akturk added that "intensive security measures" are being implemented along all of Türkiye's borders, including the frontier with Iran, "and necessary precautions are being taken in coordination with relevant state institutions to mitigate any potential risks."
He said the Turkish Armed Forces are closely monitoring regional developments and preparing for all possible scenarios, urging the public not to trust manipulative content designed to create false perceptions.
Akturk also warned of destabilizing activities by armed groups in the region, specifically citing the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK). Such groups, he said, "undermine not only Iran's security but also the broader peace and stability of the region."
Türkiye, a NATO member sharing a long border with Iran, is currently focused on advancing peace efforts with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
In May 2025, the PKK announced its decision to disarm and disband following a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan. The first group of PKK fighters laid down their arms in July, and in late October, the PKK announced it was withdrawing fighters from Türkiye to Iraq.
The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union. The PJAK is widely regarded as the PKK's affiliate in Iran. ■
