Turkey allows US to use its Incirlik air base for anti ISIS operations

Turkey finally gave permission to the United States for using its air base in anti-ISIS raids. The nod came after intense negotiations that ended the frustration of Washington over the NATO ally not extending crucial logistics support in its fight against extremism.

The US had been demanding the air base for its campaign against ISIS in Syria mainly because of Turkey’s geographical proximity to Syria. Turkey’s coldness in letting US to use its air base had irritated Washington.

Incirlik Air Base

The new agreement between Turkey and the US bears the formal approval of the Turkish government. Accordingly, the United States can use the Incirlik air base in southern Turkey for operations against Islamic State in Syria. Giving the details, an official in Ankara confirmed to the media that the “cabinet has signed the decree,” without giving the broad details of the agreement. He said the Incirlik air base can be used by the US against ISIS anytime. The signing of the decree was fast-tracked after the visit of US presidential envoy John Allen to Ankara in early July. The Turkey cabinet also agreed to “implement elements between Turkey and the United States,” said the official.

Ankara’ change in stand regarding the airbase is also timed with its hardening stand against the ISIS. Turkey was rattled by the recent, deadly suicide bombing at a Turkish border town and hit back with its warplanes for the first time at the ISIS targets in Syria. Besides ISIS, Turkey is also taking military action against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq.

ISIS Free Zone

Turkey’s simultaneous stand against both ISIS and Kurdish militia has surprised many. This is despite Turkey and the US negotiating plans to intensify the battle against ISIS, which is being fought by Kurds also. Turkey’s air raids were confirmed by Kurdish People's Protection Units called YPG, which reported night shelling on the border village of Til Findire and it having hit their vehicles. But Turkish officials stated that the military was only returning fire and did not hit the YPG.

Backed by US airstrikes, the Kurds had emerged as the most effective ground forces against ISIS. But their advances across northeastern Syria alarmed Turkey and it is fearing a possible revival of the decades-long insurgency in its turf, seeking statehood. Syria's main Kurdish fighting force has links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party which had been leading insurgency in Turkey with its extensive bases in northern Iraq.

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