Hasan Küçükakyüz

The main objective for Turkey and Azerbaijan is the continuity of a cease-fire and to bring stability to the region, Turkish defense chief Hulusi Akar said on Nov. 5 at a reception at the Azerbaijan Embassy in Ankara for Victory Day.

Any threats against Azerbaijan will be looked upon as threats against Turkey, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said.

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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Turkey will convene its Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) on Aug. 4, where decisions will be taken to name top military brass.

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The YAŞ is convened every year to discuss promotions and dismissals of the high-ranking military personnel under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and with the participation of key civilian and military officials.

Turkish security forces have neutralized more than 18,000 terrorists since July 24, 2015, the national defense minister said on June 25. 

Hulusi Akar, accompanied by Land Forces Commander Gen. Ümit Dündar, Naval Forces Admiral Adnan Özbal and Air Forces Commander Gen. Hasan Küçükakyüz visited a military base in the eastern province of Malatya.

Turkey's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, along with high-level military officials, paid a visit on May 2 to the central Eskişehir province to monitor developments in the country's recent cross-border anti-terror operations.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has successfully completed its four-day Operation Claw-Eagle 2 and cleared Gara region of Northern Iraq of PKK elements, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Feb. 14, adding that PKK terrorists killed 13 unarmed Turkish citizens that they were held hostage since 2015.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Güler and force commanders entered the New Year with surprise visits to land, sea and air units.

Turkey's army chief on May 25 visited the southern border province of Hatay to inspect troops taking part in the ongoing Operation Olive Branch in northwestern Syria. 

In a statement, the Turkish General Staff said Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar was briefed by the commanders on duty in the region and issued orders.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım is scheduled to come together with land, naval, air and gendarmerie force commanders separately.