Hulusi Akar

Turkey 'neutralised' almost 2,400 terrorists in 2018 – minister

Defence Minister Hulusi Akar says Ankara carried 147 major counter-terrorism operations, and air strikes destroyed 922 targets including arms depots and shelters used by terrorists.

Top Turkish delegation to visit Russia for Syria talks

President Erdogan could meet his Russian counterpart Putin depending on the outcome of negotiations between Turkish and Russian officials in Moscow, said AK Party spokesman.

Turkey's defence minister meets US and Turkish troops in Afghanistan

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar also met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and they discussed security cooperation, fight against terror, Afghan-led peace process and cultural ties between Ankara and Kabul.

Reactions mixed to Trump's decision to pull US troops from Syria

Trump tweeted victory over Daesh and said he was pulling US troops from Syria. Turkey and Russia have welcomed the decision. France and the UK say they're staying engaged. The US withdrawal could change the balance of forces in the Syrian war.

Turkey 'intensely' preparing for new operation east of Euphrates

Speaking during his visit to Turkish forces in Qatar's capital Doha, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar says “Every measure was taken in order not to harm any civilians" during operations in Iraq's Sinjar and Mount Karajak regions.

Turkey-US ties likely to hit new low over military posts in northern Syria

Slamming the US for planning to install military observatory posts in northern Syria, Turkey's defense minister said the move will create a countrywide impression that “American soldiers are somehow protecting YPG terrorists.”

Won't accept US putting bounties on PKK yet arming offshoot YPG – Turkey

Turkey's defence minister Hulusi Akar says US must fix "as soon as possible" the policy of slapping bounties on PKK terrorists and simultaneously arming YPG, the group's Syrian branch.

Erdogan says Turkey-US deal on Syria's Manbij 'not dead'

The Turkish president's remarks come after Turkey's Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted saying that joint training of US and Turkish soldiers for patrols in Manbij had begun.

Turkey and US troops begin training for joint patrols in Syria's Manbij

Turkey's Defence Minister Hulusi Akar says Turkey and US will soon conduct "common united patrolling activities" in the northern Syrian city, a deal two NATO allies agreed in June.

Turkish president discusses Syria with UN chief in New York

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a closed-door meeting discussed the Syrian conflict and measures undertaken for setting up a demilitarised zone in Idlib.

Turkey calls on the US to reconsider its alliances in Syria

In a letter to The New York Times, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned that US-backed YPG terrorists have an alliance with Syrian regime leader Bashar al Assad and are sending forces to help him recapture Idlib.

Erdogan vows to make PKK pay for killing soldier's baby and wife

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the country would continue the fight against terrorism until every last terrorist has been eliminated.