Turkish Defense Minister with Turkish-backed proxies in occupied Azaz in Syria

AZAZ, Syria — Sources from Turkish-occupied Syria reported an unannounced visit of Turkish Defense Minister Khulusi Akar to the occupied city of Azaz yesterday morning.

Akar arrived via a helicopter which landed at Bab al-Salam crossing on the Syrian–Turkish border. Strict security measures were reported, and hovering reconnaissance aircraft were reported in the area along Akar’s route.

The sources added that Akar’s visit lasted for an hour and a half, during which he met leadership of the Azm Operations Room and leadership of the Turkish-proxy Third Corps near Bab al-Salam crossing in the city of Azaz. Work at the crossing was stopped until Akar left the area.

The sources indicated that the purpose of the meeting remains a secret.

This is not the first time that the Turkish Defense Minister has visited occupied areas.

Last July, the Turkish Minister of Interior, Suleiman Soylu, visited occupied Cafrin (Afrin).