US, Turkey finalize ‘details’ of Mideast air campaign
The United States has finalized technical details with Turkey over an air campaign allegedly against ISIL terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that a new phase had begun in fight against Daesh militants.
The move, part of a plan that allows the US to use bases in Turkey, was described as "an important development in the fight" by Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook.
"We've been trying to work out these logistical details. We've been able to do that. We think this will be an important step forward," Cook said. "We believe that Turkey is committed to fully participating as soon as possible."
He added that "it could take a few days to put these technical arrangements into place at the operational level."
Using Turkish airbases is "a very important force multiplier, as we expect it will continue to compliment our efforts to pressure ISIL on a number of fronts," Cook said.
He stated that measures would be taken in the region, "including along its borders in a manner that promotes Turkey's security and regional stability."
The Pentagon press secretary announced that negotiations were continuing with Ankara over the expansion of the campaign.
"This is a work in progress. We're working with the Turkish government towards that end."
Ankara launched airstrikes against purported Daesh targets in Syria as well as PKK positions in Iraq and Turkey after a deadly July 20 bomb attack, attributed to ISIL, left 32 people dead in the southeastern Turkish town of Suruç, across the border from the northern Syrian town of Kobani.
But, so far, the air raids have significantly been focused on the Kurdish militants.
"Our focus is the fight against ISIL, and it's going to continue to be that, both with Turkey, with the (so-called) moderate Syrian opposition forces, and that is our central focus," Cook said, without elaborating whether or not Ankara’s targeting of the Kurds would stop.
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