Turkish army chief inspects troops in border province

By Sarp Ozer

HAKKARI, Turkey (AA) – Turkey’s army chief on Saturday visited Yuksekova district in the eastern border province of Hakkari to inspect troops taking part in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in northern Iraq.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar was briefed by the commanders on duty in the region.

He issued orders and attended an iftar (fast-breaking) dinner.

He was accompanied by commanders of the Turkish Land and Air Forces, Gens. Yasar Guler and Hasan Kucukakyuz, and Naval Forces Commander Adm. Adnan Ozbal.

Akar said terrorists posing threat and danger to the country are being “neutralized” through trench operations, Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations, and military action in northern Iraq.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralized" to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered, or were killed or captured.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from northwestern Syria's Afrin region.

On March 18, day 58 of the operation, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin.