WORLD
Turkish defense minister in border for safe zone
Baku, August 16, AZERTAC
Turkish military chiefs arrived at the country's southeastern border on Friday to inspect the troops ahead of a planned safe zone in Syria, according to Anadolu Agency.
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar along with Chief of General Staff Yasar Guler, and commanders of the land, air, and naval forces arrived in the southeastern city of Sanliurfa to inspect troops preparing for the set up of a Turkish-US Joint Operations Center.
The team was welcomed by high-level commanders at Sanliurfa’s airport.
A six-member U.S. team also arrived in the southeastern province on Aug. 12.
"The Joint Operations Center is projected to start functioning in the coming days," the National Defense Ministry said in a statement following the arrival of the U.S. delegation.
Turkish and U.S. military officials on Aug. 7 agreed to set up a safe zone and develop a peace corridor to facilitate the movement of displaced Syrians, who are longing to return their home. They also agreed to establish a joint operations center.