Turkey’s Minister of National Defense, Hulusi Akar, has traveled to Iraq to discuss ongoing military operations and the announcement of a state of emergency, according to TRT Haber state television.

“Minister of National Defense, Hulusi Akar, visited Erbil, Iraq, after meeting with Shouayy Alpay,” the state television reported. “Following the meeting at Erbil International Airport, Minister Akar traveled with a helicopter to the 23rd Brigade Command to inspect the ongoing operations.”

“Minister Hulusi Akar has been informed about the latest situation regarding operations in northern Iraq, the Prime Ministry announced,” the state television continued.

Turkey’s armed forces are conducting extensive military operations against the terrorist organization PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) in northern Iraq, which is designated as a terrorist group and is active in the country, according to a statement by the Turkish General Staff, as reported by Hürriyet newspaper. At the same time, Minister Akar, in an interview with the media, stated that Turkey does not seek permission from anyone for these military operations.

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