Turkish army chief inspects 'Olive Branch' troops in border province of Hatay
HATAY
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.
He was accompanied by the commanders of the Turkish Land and Air Forces, Gens. Yasar Guler and Hasan Kucukakyuz, as well as Naval Forces Commander Adm. Adnan Özbal, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Akar said the Turkish army is concentrating on clearing away terrorist mines and explosives so locals can return to their homes in peace and security, the report said.
Operations to provide all the public's basic needs, notably health care, are continuing, he added.
On Jan. 20, Turkey launched "Operation Olive Branch" to remove the armed Syran-Kurdish group People's Protection Units (YPG) from northwestern Syria's Afrin region.
On March 18, day 58 of the operation, Turkish troops and Free Syrian Army members liberated the town of Afrin.
