Iraqi defense chief congratulates new Turkish defense minister on assuming office

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iraq’s defense chief on Saturday congratulated Yasar Guler on his appointment as Türkiye’s defense minister and wished him success.

This came in a phone call between Iraq’s Defense Minister Thabet Mohammad Saeed al-Abbasi and Guler, a Turkish National Defense Ministry statement said.

The two ministers agreed on mutual visits, the statement added.

Guler, 68, who served as chief of General Staff since 2018, was appointed national defense minister by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following his May 28 election victory.

Erdogan unveiled his new Cabinet last week after he was inaugurated in the nation’s capital, Ankara.

The president also gave Land Forces Commander Gen. Musa Avsever the post of chief of General Staff, succeeding Guler. Avsever will remain at his current post until a new commander is appointed.