Zekai Aksakallı

The commander of Turkey's special forces, who had a crucial role in thwarting the July 15 failed coup attempt, has said he is currently in Syria within the scope of the Euphrates Shield Operation in northern Syria and cannot attend a session of the parliamentary commission formed to investigate the failed coup.  

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.