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Turkey opens military airbases for coalition forces against IS

Xinhua, July 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Turkey has agreed to open its air bases, including the key Incirlik Airbase in southern Turkey, for the use of coalition forces fighting against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, said an official statement on Friday.

The Turkish government has given permission for the anti-IS coalition forces, including the United States and other regional countries, to deploy manned and unmanned aircrafts in Turkey's military airbases, a written foreign ministry statement said.

Turkish airforces will also join in those military operations, added the statement.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed the deal, saying the decision has taken Ankara's security concerns into account.

The two allies will take concrete steps in accordance with this consensus, he added.

Turkey has been making contribution to the anti-IS coalition operations within its national capacities, said the statement, citing a recent decision by the Turkish government to allow the U.S. armed drones to deploy in Turkey.

The agreement follows months of U.S. appeals to Turkey to play a full role in the coalition against IS, including opening its Incirlik Airbase for bombing raids against IS.

Reports said the recent deadly suicide bombing in a Turkish border town blamed on IS played a vital role in Turkey's decision to play a more direct and aggressive part in fighting the extremist group.

Turkish fighter jets on Friday for the first time bombed IS targets in Syria. Endit