bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agencies

Turkey has not agreed to let the US use its airbase in the fight against Islamic State militants, and talks are continuing on the subject, the prime minister's office has said.
The comments run contrary to a statement made by US national security adviser Susan Rice on Sunday, leading to confusion as to what has been decided.
The Turkish prime minister's office said an agreement had been reached to train moderate Syrian rebels on Turkish soil, but that it was not yet clear "where [and] in what way" that would happen.
On Sunday, the US said Turkey had agreed to let US and coalition forces use its military bases, including the key Incirlik airbase close to the southern city of Adana, 100 miles from the Syrian border.
US crews have long operated out of Incirlik Air Base and about 1,500 airmen are stationed there.
Serhat Guvenc, a lecturer in international relations at the Kadir Has University in Istanbul, said increased Turkish involvement in the fight against IS had not come as a surprise, but had come earlier than expected.
"While Turkey did not have much to bargain with to resist a more active participation much longer, recent government statements underlining Turkey's main goal - the ousting of [Syrian president] Bashar al-Assad - made it seem like Ankara would resist a while longer," he said. "This takes Turkey's place in the international coalition to a higher level."
Washington has long pressed the Turkish government to take on a more decisive role in the fight against IS militants, who have continued their incursions into both Syria and Iraq and now control large swaths of territory in both countries.
A violent IS onslaught against the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani at the border with Turkey has displaced over 100,000 people.
The Turkish parliament this month gave the government the green light to take military action against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, but Turkey's military has yet to make a move.
The confusion began on Sunday when unnamed US officials said Ankara had agreed to open its airbases and to allow the training of moderate Syrian rebels on Turkish soil.
According to Turkish government sources cited by Associated Press, about 4,000 opposition fighters would be trained in Turkey, after being screened by Turkish intelligence. A Turkish daily newspaper reported that Kurdish PYD fighters, closely linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' party (PKK), would be among the moderate fighters as well.
Idris Nassan, deputy foreign minister in the Kurdish administration for Kobani, did not confirm this claim, but demanded unity in the fight against IS: "We should all unite against the terrorist threat of Isis, and Kurdish fighters, whoever they are, should be an integral part of that effort."
US aircraft bombing IS militants in Iraq are reportedly flying out of al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is also home to a vital US air combat command centre.
At the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Qatar, US officers oversee airspace authority, air defences and electronic warfare in 20 regional countries. The Qatar air base, with a 15,000-foot runway and a significant supply of munitions, is a crucial logistical hub.
US F-16 fighter jets also have been stationed in Jordan since last year and the Pentagon has basing agreements with Oman.
Guardian, Agence France-Presse
 


Turkey grants use of air bases to US and coalition forces

In southern Turkey, US troops have long operated out of Incirlik Air Base and about 1,500 airmen are stationed there. Photo: Facebook/Incirlik Air Base

Smoke rise after US-led coalition airstrike on Kobane, Syria, as seen from the Turkish side of the border, near Suruc district, Sanliurfa, Turkey. Photo: EPA

How US and allies gather intelligence in war against Islamic State

US surveillance planes film bombs dropping on targets. Photo: AP

News

World

Ankara agrees to train Syrian moderate forces on home soil to fight Islamic State militants


Turkey has not agreed to let the US use its airbase in the fight against Islamic State militants, and talks are continuing on the subject, the prime minister's office has said.


Turkey grants use of air bases to US and coalition forces

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Ankara agrees to train Syrian moderate forces on home soil to fight Islamic State militants

Ankara agrees to train Syrian moderate forces on home soil to fight Islamic State militants