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Turkey denies warplanes from Incirlik air base join anti-IS strikes in Syria

Xinhua, August 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Turkish Foreign Ministry denied on Wednesday media reports that jets taking off from Incirlik Air Base in Adana province in southern Tu8rkey took part in U.S.-led anti-IS coalition's airstrikes overnight on Idlib province in Syria.

"No manned and unmanned aircraft using the Incirlik Air Base participated in Tuesday's air operation carried out by the coalition forces," said the ministry.

The ministry rejected as "misleading" and "evil-minded" reports in Turkish media that said aircraft returning from the attack flew towards Turkey.

On Sunday, six F-16 fighters arrived at Incirlik Air Base in Adada province in southern Turkey, private Dogan news agency reported, saying that these fighter planes are expected to conduct airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in neighboring Syria and Iraq.

Along with them, about 300 airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing also arrived at the Incirlik Air Base on Sunday, according to the report.

Incirlik airbase is strategically located beside the Syrian border and is a key military base for various international campaigns in the Iraq war.

The Turkish government granted permission for anti-IS coalition forces, including the United States and other regional countries, to deploy manned and unmanned aircrafts in Turkey's military airbases, a Turkish foreign ministry statement said on July 24.

Following a recent deadly suicide bombing in the border town of Suruc, the Turkish military launched military operations against IS targets within Syria and adopted a more obvious role in fighting IS. Enditem