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U.S. to deploy rocket system in Turkey against IS

Xinhua, April 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United States will send a rocket system to Turkey to boost its defense against Islamic State (IS) militants across the border in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday.

The expected deployment of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV), came after recent frequent IS rocket strikes over the border.

Rockets fired from IS controlled territory in northern Syria into Turkey's Kilis have killed 17 people since Jan. 18.

"The range of our artillery is 40 km. The range of the U.S HIMARS missiles is 90 km. They will be deployed on the Turkish border in May," local Hurriyet Daily News quoted Cavusoglu as saying.

The HIMARS missiles would mean the IS targets could be hit more efficiently, the minister stated.

Cavusoglu also called for more support for Syrian rebels from both the land and air, saying that Turkish and U.S. officials have agreed on the closure of the Manbij area in northern Syria.

There are now four Predator drones and 12 A-10 bombers deployed at Turkey's Incirlik Air Base as part of U.S. efforts against IS militants in Syria. Endit