Hulusi Akar

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Nov. 8 received the U.S. Syria envoy, James Jeffrey, and the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, David Satterfield, said the National Defense Ministry.

Athens is reportedly wary of Ankara's attempt to incorporate the migrant and refugee issue into the framework of confidence-building measures (CBMs) between the two countries.

Turkey is ready to cooperate with NATO allies in turning northeastern Syria into a safe and habitable environment where the refugees may voluntarily return, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said, highlighting the Turkish government's willingness to study a proposal tabled by Germany to that end.

Turkey expects that disagreements with the United States over production of F-35 jets will be overcome, its defense minister told Reuters, adding that Ankara remained at the center of NATO despite criticism from allies of its incursion into Syria.

Some 200 members of ISIL were detained and more than 300 were killed during Operation Peace Spring, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said at the TRT World Forum on Oct. 21.

A map of the Republic of Turkey, including territories from Bulgaria, was posted on a Facebook profile linked to Turkey's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva immediately ordered Deputy Minister Petko Doikov to contact the Turkish Ambassador Hasan Ulusoy, Bulgaria's foreign ministry reported.

Turkish troops have taken control of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain border towns of Syria, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Oct. 14.
"Tel Abyad and Ras al-Ain are under control. Work for the control of the region is ongoing," he told reporters after his meeting with the leader of opposition İYİ (Good) Party, Meral Akşener.

Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Oct. 9 said the preparations for planned military operations at east of the Euphrates River are ongoing.

Turkey's preparations and deployments for its planned military offensive in northeastern Syria are continuing, broadcaster NTV cited Defence Minister Hulusi Akar as saying on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during talks in New York today agreed to reactivate the Supreme Cooperation Council in an effort to defuse tensions between the two countries and keep an open channel of communication.