The effect of unmanned aircraft to fight terrorism: Example of Türkiye

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the roles of UAVs and UCAVs in Türkiye's counterterrorism efforts and examine their impact on counterterrorism. Other objectives of this study have been to identify the potential problems in the use of UAVs and UCAVs during counterterrorism operations and determine the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing these tools in counterterrorism. Based on the literature review conducted for this purpose, it has been observed that UAVs and UCAVs have been used by various countries, such as the United States and Israel, in different geographies and missions during counterterrorism operations, and these tools have successfully fulfilled their duties. The literature review has also revealed occasional violations of the principle of distinction and harm to humanitarian law during the use of these tools. As indicated in the study, the major disadvantages of these tools include connectivity issues and the inability to perform missions in all weather conditions. On the other hand, the greatest advantages of these tools are their unmanned nature and their ability to provide uninterrupted surveillance for long hours. When examining Türkiye's use of UAVs and UCAVs in counterterrorism, a data analysis method has been employed. The data has been obtained from terrorism databases and open sources. In light of the obtained data, it has been observed that after the inclusion of UAVs and UCAVs in its inventory in 2015, Türkiye, has frequently used these tools against the PKK terrorist organization and its so-called leadership cadre, particularly in Türkiye, Syria, and Iraq. By integrating UAVs and UCAVs into its inventory, Türkiye has undergone a tactical change in its counterterrorism efforts and adopted a target-oriented approach. During the implementation process of this tactic, UAVs and UCAVs have assumed an important role and effectively served as complementary support elements. Since the integration of UAVs and UCAVs in 2015, there has been a decrease in the number of terrorist actions over the years, and the focus of counterterrorism has shifted from Turkish territories to the regions of Syria and Iraq. In conclusion, it has been determined that UAVs and UCAVs have a positive impact on Türkiye's counterterrorism efforts, and rather than being the main component, they function as complementary elements in counterterrorism, with ground forces still being the primary component of counterterrorism efforts.