"For Turkey, protecting its borders and people is the priority"

 

Defense minister Hulusi Akar inspects troops on Syria border in province of Hatay.

National defense minister on Thursday began an inspection of troops deployed along the country’s border with Syria. 

Hulusi Akar was accompanied by Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler and his lieutenants: Land Forces Commander Umit Dundar, Naval Forces Commander Adnan Ozbal, and Air Forces Commander Hasan Kucukakyuz. 

The military delegation met the commanders of troops stationed along the border and was briefed about recent activities there.

Last Friday, Akar told acting U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper: “The only military force that is ready, competent and appropriate for the establishment of a safe zone in northern Syria is the Turkish Armed Forces.” 

In a phone conversation, Akar reiterated that for Turkey, protecting its borders and people is the priority, and in the face of intensive attacks from the Syrian border, Turkey must take necessary measures to block terrorist groups from seeking safe havens right across the frontier.