WASHINGTON
Turkey is expressing a "firm commitment" to participating in the U.S.-led coalition’s anti-Daesh efforts, the Pentagon said Monday.
"The U.S. and Turkey are finalizing technical details for Turkey's full inclusion in these coalition operations," Pentagon spokesman Maj. James Brindle said in a statement to Anadolu Agency.
"Until these details are finalized, the U.S. has requested Turkey not to undertake independent counter-ISIL strikes in Syria, to ensure safe air operations for the coalition in dense airspace. Turkey agreed," Brindle said, using an alternative acronym for the militant group.
Turkish officials have said that Turkey will soon begin to participate in coalition airstrikes against Daesh.
Last month, Turkey agreed to allow U.S.-led coalition forces to launch airstrikes against Daesh positions from Incirlik, which is located close to Turkey’s border with war-torn Syria.
The U.S. began flying armed missions from the strategic Incirlik Air Base in southeastern Turkey last weekend, and carried out the first unmanned airstrike from the facility last Tuesday.
Over the weekend, the U.S. sent a contingent of six F-16s, and 300 American personnel to the base.
Brindle said he has no information on additional deployments.
"Any augmentations will depend on mission requirements," he said, adding that the U.S. expects to begin flying manned missions "in the near term".
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
