Turkey: Anti-ISIS Coalition To Launch A Comprehensive Attack Against ISIS

Despite ISIS's efforts to brand itself as a normal, fully functioning caliphate as covered by this recent HNGN article, the international community has taken yet another decisive step against the militant group, with Turkey officially agreeing to host active fighters against the Islamic State.

After years of reluctance in taking an active, frontline role in the battle against ISIS, Turkey has finally approved the use of its airbases by anti-ISIS coalition aircraft last month, according to The Guardian.

With the arrival of U.S. aircraft and drones, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has stated that a "comprehensive battle" against the Muslim extremists will be launched soon.

"As part of our agreement with the US we have made progress regarding the opening up of our bases, particularly Incirlik," he said. "We're seeing that manned and unmanned American planes are arriving and soon we will launch a comprehensive battle against Islamic State all together.

However, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem has stated in state television that the country will support efforts to combat ISIS provided that the operations are initiated in close coordination with Damascus, according to Reuters.

"For us in Syria there is no moderate opposition and immoderate opposition. Whoever carries weapons against the state is a terrorist," he said.

He also added that Damascus has already been informed about the operations being initiated by U.S.-trained rebels, who have been sent to fight against the Islamic State.

"The United States contacted us before they sent in this group and said they are fighting against Daesh (Islamic State) and not the Syrian army at all," he said. "We said we support any effort to combat Daesh in coordination and consultation with the Syrian government, otherwise it will be a breach of Syrian sovereignty."

Plans are currently underway to provide air cover to the U.S.-trained group as it attempts to sweep the insurgents from a strip of territory stretching about 80 km (50 miles) along the Turkish frontier.

Tags

Turkey, ISIS, ISIL, Jihad, Jihadist, Jihadis