Hulusi Akar

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is ready to operate the Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul if the conditions are met by its interlocutors, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Aug. 7.

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Turkey has done its best for the safety and prosperity of the Afghan people, the minister said, speaking at a military ceremony.

Turkish Armed Forces have neutralized 18,313 terrorists since July 24, 2015, including 1,631 in Iraq and Syria since Jan. 1 this year, said the defense minister said on Aug. 8.

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Turkey has replaced Land Forces Commander Gen. Ümit Dündar with 1st Army Commander Gen. Musa Avsever in a routine reshuffle as the former is retired as per the age limitation, while Navy and Air forces commander's mandates are extended for another year.

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In a phone call on July 30, Turkish and Afghan defense ministers discussed the security of Hamid Karzai International Airport, Turkish authorities said.

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In a statement, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Hulusi Akar and his Afghan counterpart Bismillah Khan Mohammadi also addressed the regional security and bilateral relations.

Turkey expects Greece to adopt peaceful political solutions rather than aggressive ones, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on July 27, calling for the disarmament of the Greek islands that have non-military status through treaties.

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Turkey's national defense minister on July 26 carried out inspections at a military post where Turkish troops in northern Syria are dispatched.

Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar discussed with his Italian counterpart on July 13, bilateral and regional security issues and the latest developments in Afghanistan, Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean, according to the Turkish National Defense Ministry.

The meeting between Akar and Lorenzo Guerini in Istanbul was constructive and positive, it said.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has repeated Turkey's bid to resolve all the existing problems with Greece through dialogue and diplomacy, urging his Greek counterpart to refrain from provocative moves and rhetoric.

The defense chiefs of Turkey and the U.S. on July 7 discussed in a phone call the latest situation in ongoing talks on ensuring the security of the airport in Afghanistan's capital after this summer's NATO pullout from the country, said Turkey's Defense Ministry.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said that he will speak over the phone with his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin on July 7 in line with the ongoing talks on the operation and security of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan.