Turkish army chief meets Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad

By Haydar Hadi

BAGHDAD

Turkish Chief-of-Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar met with his Iraqi counterpart Gen. Othman al-Ghanimi in Baghdad on Thursday.

After Akar was received by Iraqi Defense Minister Erfan al-Hiyali at the Defense Ministry building in Baghdad, the three reportedly discussed regional security and means of enhancing bilateral military relations.

“Turkey and Iraq have been facing the same risks and threats that generated from the latest regional situations,” said Akar.

“We would like to boost our relations and collaborate over the war against terrorism and border security,” he added.

Ghanimi said: “This visit will be beneficial for the people on both sides."

Last September, Ghanimi met Akar in Turkish capital Ankara in the run-up to last year’s illegitimate poll on Kurdish regional independence.