Army chief off to Southeast to boost morale of forces fighting PKK

Turkey's Chief of Staff Hulusi Akar on Saturday made a suprise visit to troops carrying out the sweeping operations launched to root out PKK safehavens in the rural areas in the southeastern province of Şırnak.

A military helicopter carried the Army's chief and his delegation to 23 Gendarmerie Border Division Command. The senior officials attending Akar's visit included Land Forces Commander Gen. Salih Zeki Colak, Navy Forces Commander Admiral Bulent Bostanoğlu, Air Forces Commander Gen. Abidin Unal, Gendarmerie General Commander Gen. Galip Mendi and 2nd Army Commander Gen. Adem Border.

Upon their arrival in the city, Akar and his delegation were welcomed by Şırnak governor Ali İhsan Su and some local administrators. Akar and the commanders attended a funeral service held at the Command for Serkan Has, a specialist sergeant slain during operations in Şırnak.

After the funeral, Akar was briefed about the anti-terror raids still underway in the restive towns of Cizre and Silopi. He has then personally inspected troops taking place in the operation, in a move to boost the morale of the armed forces.