Turkish defense minister visits Turkish-Syrian border

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işık has paid a visit to the southeastern province of Gaziantep in order to obtain information regarding the activities on the Turkish-Syrian border. Işık was accompanied by Land Forces Commander Gen. Salih Zeki Çolak and other high-level military officials, Anadolu Agency reported on Sept. 29. 
Işık, who arrived in the province early in the day, visited the Gaziantep Governor's Office and was welcomed by Gov. Ali Yerlikaya and several other officials. The meeting in the governor's office lasted for an half an hour and was closed to the public. The delegation then left the office, before heading to the Fifth Armored Brigade Command. 

Işık and Çolak then headed to the border province of Kilis, which was subjected to a rocket attack by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) last week. The delegation arrived in the province in a military helicopter. 

They were welcomed by Special Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Zekai Aksakallı and headed to the Operation Euphrates Shield operation center. 

Işık was briefed at the center, from where the operation is being conducted, and talked to the commanders of the units involved in the operation via teleconference. 

"The people's support and prayers are with you. It's our significant priority to not let terrorist elements harbor. May God help you," Işık told the commanders, before moving on to have lunch with soldiers at the border.

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