The U.S. and Turkey don't agree on everything, but the two nations do have something in common: they're both against ISIS. In a new deal reached after several months of negotiations, the two nations will work together to keep part of the Syrian border free of ISIS and other militant forces.
ISIS or ISIL, the Islamic State, is a common enemy to both countries. Per the new agreement, the U.S. will use Turkish air bases to launch attacks on ISIS. Meanwhile, Turkey will work on shutting down the supply lines keeping ISIS well-stocked.
As part of the agreement, Turkey will have more security placed along the Syrian border. For their part, they will keep Kurdish militia forces from taking more territory. The border in question is roughly 60 miles long, from Aleppo, Syria to the Euphrates River. Together, the two countries hope to achieve an Islamic-Free zone. Turkey hopes that it will become a safe zone, according to the New York Times.
The agreement does put the U.S. in a difficult position, according to ABC News. Some of the Kurdish militant groups that Turkey is opposed to are actually allies to the U.S. in the overall fight against ISIS.
"It's not going to defeat ISIS, but it will make it harder for ISIS to operate," former U.S. ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey said, according to IBTimes. U.S. and Turkish air forces will help protect the border's air space, but it will be Sunni allies on the ground who truly maintain the safety.
