US begins airstrikes against IS from Turkish base

(Baonghean.vn) - On August 12, the US military said it had begun the first manned airstrikes from the Incirlik base in Türkiye targeting the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militants.

A US F-16 aircraft departs from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and deploys to Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye on August 9. Photo: Reuters

The move comes just days after Washington sent six F-16s and about 300 troops to a base in Türkiye after Ankara allowed fighter jets to launch airstrikes against IS militants last month. Ankara's decision is a major policy shift after its reluctance to coordinate with the US against IS militants. However, Turkish fighter jets did not participate in yesterday's attack.

US airstrikes from Türkiye targeting IS targets in neighboring Syria are a major advantage as previously these flights had to originate mainly from the Gulf.

Türkiye is worried about insecurity along its 900km border with Syria, with the conflict from its neighbour spilling over into its territory and worsening relations with the Kurdish community. In July, Turkey launched its first airstrikes against IS in Syria.

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)