Turkish, British defense ministers visit SE Turkey

HATAY, Turkey

Turkish and British defense ministers visited southeastern Turkey borders Friday to see first-hand the tragedy of Syrians.

Hulusi Akar and Ben Wallace were in Turkey’s border post in Hatay province and observed from an observation tower the refugee situation in Atma.

The ministers, with their delegations, met after the visit, along with the UN regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis.

Wallace said the U.K. supported Turkish operations in NATO and the UN Security Council to stop the conflict in Idlib province, northwestern Syria.

Noting it contribute to humanitarian aid efforts, Wallace said the U.K. is ready to support Turkey nationally and trough NATO activities.

UN representative Kevin Kennedy praised Turkey’s effort to protect Syrians after an agreement between Ankara and Moscow on a cease-fire in Idlib was observed in the region. He said there are more than 60% children in refugee camps and Turkey is doing an enormous job to help them.

He urged the international community to stand with Turkey in providing humanitarian aid and ending the conflict that triggered an immigration crisis.

*Writing by Davut Demircan