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Turkey has no plans for ground troops into Syria: PM

Xinhua, July 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said that Turkey does not have any plans to send ground troops into Syria where the military has been bombing Islamic State (IS) positions since last week, local Hurriyet Daily News reported on Monday.

But the United States and Turkey have agreed on "air cover" that will be provided for moderate Syrian rebels fighting against the IS elements there, the prime minister told a group of journalists on Sunday.

"The agreement we reached (with the U.S.) has covered our concerns and expectations up to a certain level... The air cover for the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and other moderate elements fighting against Daesh (IS)... If we are not going to send land units to the ground (in Syria), and we will not, then those forces acting as ground forces cooperating with us should be protected," the report quoted Davutoglu as saying.

The two countries also have agreed to speed up training and equipment delivering to a desired level, he said, noting that more cooperation with the coalition forces will be available including the use of Incirlik airbase in Turkey.

Davutoglu also said the Kurdish Democratic Union of Kurdistan (PYD) in northern Syria could "have a place in the new Syria" if it does not disturb Turkey, cuts all relations with Syrian regime and cooperates with Syrian rebels.

Turkey has agreed to allow manned and unmanned U.S. warplanes to launch air raids on the IS extremist group from airbases on Turkish soil.

Turkish air forces and long-range artillery units will participate in the U.S. aerial campaign whenever needed, as the American aircraft will be able to use key Incirlik Airbase in Southern Adana province of Turkey.

Turkey and the United States also agreed to clear northern Syria of the IS militants to create "safe regions" there, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.

Ankara has long been urging Washington to declare safe havens and no-fly zone in northern Syria for protection of Syrian rebels.

Turkish war jets carried out airstrikes at Jihadist targets in northern Syria early Friday, in the first of such attacks in the neighboring country after IS fighters opened fire from the Syrian side of the border and killed a Turkish soldier. Turkish land forces also hit some other IS positions later in the day. Endit