Turkish defense minister in Somalia's capital
Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Thursday met Somali officials in the capital Mogadishu for bilateral and military talks.
Akar and his delegation was received by Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Guled, some senior government officials and Turkey’s Ambassador to Somalia Olgan Bekar at Adan Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.
Later, he held talks with Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and the Chief Commander of the Somali National Army Gen. Dahir Adan Elmi, and chaired a meeting between delegations.
A Turkish delegation led by Defense Minister Hulusi Akar arrived in Somalia capital Mogadishu on Wednesday.Hulusi Akar, and his delegation was received by Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and other senior government officials at Adan Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.“I'm glad to welcome Turkish Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar, a close friend of Somalia; heartening to hear him repeat Turkey’s firm commitment to stand by Somalia not only through the good times but also the tough times,” Khaire wrote on Twitter.Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed received the delegation at the presidential palace.“I want to thank our brotherly Turkish government for the work and support for our armed forces rebuilding process,” Mohamed said following a meeting with the delegation.The Turkish defense minister said his government will continue its support to Somalia.“We will continue our commitments with Somalia and provide support in rebuilding Somali National Army,” Akar said.Turkey has been the biggest supporter of Somalia for years and has its biggest embassy in Africa in Mogadishu. Turkey also runs the only modern military training facility in Somalia which trains Somali armed forces.
Turkish defense minister arrives in Somali capital
Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed also received the Turkish delegation at the presidential palace.
The officials discussed bilateral defense and military cooperation as well as regional issues, according to Turkish defense sources.
Akar and his delegation later visited the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu.
“Turkey is an important supporter of the regional and global peace and stability. We always stand by the Somali people with which we have strong historical bonds.
Turkey expects the United States to take the same stance against the People’s Protection Units (YPG) as it has taken against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Wednesday.The YPG is the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.Since the PKK launched its terror campaign in Turkey in 1984, tens of thousands of people have been killed, including more than 1,200 since July 2015 alone.Fifteen arrested for aiding, abetting PKK/KCK in E. TurkeyTurkey's expectation from the U.S. is for it to not send weapons and ammunition to the YPG terrorist organization, Akar added.The U.S has supplied the PYD terror organization and its armed wing, the YPG, with more than 5,000 truckloads of weapons to allegedly use in the fight against Daesh, despite Ankara’s warnings that they are the Syrian offshoots of the PKK terror organization.US puts bounty on key PKK terrorists up to $5MAkar called a move by the U.S. to put bounties on three PKK terrorists "positive" but "belated."The U.S. State Department earlier Tuesday put a bounty on three key PKK terrorists, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara announced.Under the Rewards for Justice program, people who give information on the identification or location of PKK terrorists Murat Karayilan, Cemil Bayik, and Duran Kalkan are eligible for rewards of $3-5 million.The announcement followed U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer’s official visit to the capital Ankara.Turkey reacts 'cautiously' to US putting bounty on PKKPKK terror rioters attack Council of Europe in FranceTurkey welcomes US putting bounties on PKK terrorists
Turkey expects US to not arm YPG/PKK, says defense minister
“Turkey has mobilized it historical, social, political and cultural experience for its Somali brothers,” Akar wrote in a message on the embassy notebook.
Turkish defense minister said Turkey will continue to support Somalia.
Turkey has been the biggest supporter of Somalia for years and has its biggest embassy in Africa in Mogadishu. Turkey also runs the only modern military training facility in Somalia which trains Somali armed forces.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar received a warm welcome during an official visit to Sudan's Sevakin Island on Wednesday.
Turkish defense minister receives warm welcome in Sudanese island