In recent days, many cities and schools in Turkey have been attacked, such as a high school in Siverek, Şanlıurfa and a middle school in Kahramanmaraş yesterday.
A succession of shootings and individual violence in parks, on roads and in traffic makes it clear that security risks have risen to alarming levels.
These attacks, carried out in city centers with long-barreled weapons, rifles and pistols, have reached a level where they can no longer be dismissed as “isolated incidents”. These incidents are not just a simple public order issue; they are the reflection of structural problems that have been accumulating for years on the daily life of society. Today, Turkey is going through a fragile process in terms of security of life and property.
It is useful to first look at the results of the security policies in Turkey with the emerging data covering 2025 and the first two months of early 2026.
Tackling Unlicensed Weapons and Violence (Zero Tolerance); 110,104 unlicensed weapons seized in 2025 (more than 50,000 of them pistols).
119,175 people were prosecuted.
In 81 provinces, weekly/monthly raids continue unabated. Operations against arms trafficking continue in coordination with the central organizations of security institutions. The lower limit of the penalty for carrying a pistol without a license was increased to 2 years and the upper limit to 4 years (end-2024 law).
Organized Crime and Smuggling;
552 criminal organizations have been dismantled, 6,788 members arrested, but convictions need to be upheld through fair and speedy trials.
Drugs and financial resources are targeted; international cooperation (FATF, INTERPOL) has been strengthened in recent years. Operations focused on filling authority gaps are effective, but structural problems (political influence, youth crime cycle, curiosity to carry unlicensed handguns) persist.
Perception of Execution and Impunity;
10.11.YargıPaketleri(2025-2026)
Probation was expanded, early release/3 years advantage was provided for some crimes (except terrorism/organization) (50 thousand people were affected). Serious crimes such as intentional killing and sexual offenses were partially excluded.
Package 12 is in preparation.
Changes focused on “equality” are expected in the Penal Code and execution; there is no general amnesty, the goal of “ending the perception of impunity” is emphasized, but I believe that this will create a situation contrary to the principle of equality in the Constitution.
General Framework;
With the budget of the Ministry of Interior and the goal of a “Terror Free Turkey”, internal security seems to be a priority. Urban security is being modernized (body cameras, intelligence), but socio-economic reasons, migration management and the need for permanent reforms continue unabated. The execution/TCK work in the TGNA is critical; the emphasis on security as a “right” is at the heart of policies.
According to the results, the fight against root causes (sociological analysis, financial drying) is still lacking. While operational success on the ground is high, more comprehensive steps are needed for a lasting policy.
No citizen should feel uneasy when they go out on the street,
They should not worry about whether something will happen to their child that they send to school today,
No citizen should be worried when they go out on the streets,
They should not be anxious about sending their child to school,
They should not have to fall asleep to the sound of gunfire in their neighborhood.
This is the most fundamental and indispensable responsibility of being a state. Security is not a privilege or a luxury; it is one of the most fundamental rights protected by the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey.
If there is a gap in the law and in the practices of the public bureaucracy, crime fills it.
In some regions, the security and authority gaps created over time are rapidly being filled by illegal structures.
These structures
putting pressure on the street,
It permeates local politics,
Controlling smuggling activities,
It drives young people in particular into a cycle of crime.
Where the authority of the state is weakened, organizations and criminal networks establish their own order. Recent events are the most concrete indication of this bitter reality.
Saving the Day is Not Enough: A Permanent Solution is Necessary...
Turkey needs a permanent and sustainable security policy that confronts the root causes. The main steps that urgently need to be taken in this direction are as follows:
Permanent solutions, not day-saving ones, are a must:
Control, deterrence and equal enforcement against unlicensed weapons,
Fast and fair trials (clear results that end the perception of impunity),
Education, employment and social policies to divert young people away from crime,
Strong public authority and oversight at the local level,
The systematic fight to dry up the financial sources of the criminal economy,
Long-term planning for migration, urbanization and sociological risks, and the wearing of lapel cameras by those in charge of public order,
Preventive intelligence,
Pre-crime, neighborhood-based “safety councils” or efforts to strengthen financial intelligence against the criminal economy should be accelerated.
Security is not a privilege.
Security is not a blessing.
Security is the raison d'être of the state.