Turkish army is ‘unbelievable,’ says NATO commander

ISTANBUL

NATO Army Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, AA photo

NATO Army Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges heaped praise on the Turkish army earlier today in the western province of İzmir, private broadcaster NTV has reported.

"Turkey played a critical role in Kabul [as part of the International Security Assistance Forces - ISAF]. The Turkish army is unbelievable. Everyone trusts them. At the same time they are so disciplined. At all NATO missions that I have been in charge of, I have chosen to work with Turkish officers and authorities. Turkish people have to be really proud of this," he said, adding that Turkey’s work as part of ISAF was a big success.

"Turkey has always been a country which has made a big contribution to NATO. I am impressed by the exceptionally talented and experienced soldiers from across the alliance. Turkish officers here have decades of experience in Afghanistan, Libya and the Balkans,” he said.

Hodges recently took the command of the NATO Allied Force Command in İzmir.