Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his country's determination to fight anti-state militants despite increased attacks on security forces. "Every bullet and every bomb fired, and every hole dug against the state and its people, will be brought to account," Erdogan said at a ceremony at the Turkish General Staff headquarters in capital Ankara on Tuesday. The ceremony was held in honor of General Hulusi Akar, who was appointed as the country's new chief of general staff on August 5. Akar replaces General Necdet Ozel, who served as the top military leader since 2011. About Akar's new duty, Erdogan said: "Managing this institution [Turkish General Staff] is both a big honor and at the same time a big responsibility." Erdogan said that the country together with all its institutions would continue to remain on alert amid increased attacks on security forces. The president also said: "We will never allow parallel state elements within the state." "Those who believe in democracy will never draw their strength from terrorist organizations, but from people's will. So, we as people have to continue our fight together with our soldiers, policemen, intelligence [units] and village guards through cooperation," he added. Hulusi Akar also highlighted the importance of unity of the country and the Turkish Armed Forces. "The Turkish Armed Forces has one chain of command structure, which was laid down by the country's laws. Effects of no one or no entity out of the legal hierarchy in our army's organization and its activity can be possible," he said. The new chief of general staff also said that the military would continue to respond to attacks targeting the country in the most effective way. Police have been carrying out nationwide operations to apprehend suspected militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), ISIS, and the far-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) -- all three groups are designated as terrorist groups in Turkey. Since July 24, around 1,600 people have been arrested in the wave of counter-terrorism raids amid a spike in attacks targeting security officers after the July 20 deadly suicide bombing in southeastern Suruc district that killed 34. The suicide bombing was blamed on ISIS.
