The use of Turkish soil will include Incirlik air base in the country’s south, the Associated Press reported Monday.
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – American military officials say Turkey has agreed to let US-led coalition forces use Turkish military bases for operations against ISIL terrorists, as well as train “moderate” militants fighting the Syrian government.
According to PressTV, defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday had specifically asked for permission for using the key base within 100 miles of the Syrian border.
The United States also confirmed Saturday that Turkey would start training 4,000 “moderate” militants to fight both the ISIL terrorist organization and the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The announcement came as a Turkish official said Monday that there was no new agreement with the United States on the use of the air base in southern Turkey.
Ankara has been calling on the US to create a no-fly zone along its border with Syria, but no agreement with such content has yet been announced following recent private talks between American and Turkish officials.
The US is leading a coalition of countries battling the ISIL terrorists who now control large parts of Iraq and Syria.
US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed concern Sunday over the humanitarian crisis in the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani.
Kobani and its surroundings have been under steady attack by ISIL since mid-September, forcing nearly 200,000 people to take refuge in Turkey.
Despite intense airstrikes and heavy gun battles with Kurdish fighters, ISIL militants have managed to capture more than a third of the border town.
So far, Ankara has helped ISIL terrorists by blocking the supply of military equipment and reinforcements for Kurdish fighters defending Kobani.
Source: PressTV
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