Gen. Kosaner denies military shortcomings to losses in Aktütün attack

At a press conference at the General Staff yesterday, Land Forces Commander Gen. Isik Kosaner firmly denied that military shortcomings had contributed to the losses in last month's terrorist attack on a military outpost in Aktutun, Hakkari, which left 17 soldiers dead. Citing the findings of an investigation following the attack, said, "Military units positioned in (the area) completed their mission with superior courage and defended their positions at the risk of their own lives." The top commander added that the terrorists were unable to even retrieve corpses during the attack, which he characterized as a near suicide attack.