US says Turkey a 'frontline state' in Daesh fight

WASHINGTON

Turkey is "a frontline state" in the fight against Daesh, a State Department spokesman said Monday.

Mark Toner’s comments were in response to whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was referring to Turkey during a G20 summit meeting where he said one of the members of group is turning a blind eye to Daesh.

"We fly out of Turkey's air base that brings us closer and allows us to hit ISIL more quickly and more forcefully than we could," Toner responded. "Turkey is a front line state in this conflict."

He said Daesh is "as much an existential threat for Turkey as it is for any of us", noting that Turkey is a capable partner in the fight against Daesh.

Toner said dialogue between Turkey and the U.S. is focused on protecting Turkish borders as it has received a major influx of refugees.

Turkey has hosted 3 million refugees and defended itself against several attacks by Daesh, including a twin suicide bombing in Ankara last month that killed at least 102 victims.

Turkish authorities have also arrested and extradited more than 1,000 persons and identified thousands of others who are suspected of using the country as a transit point in their efforts to join Daesh.

WASHINGTON

Turkey is "a frontline state" in the fight against Daesh, a State Department spokesman said Monday.

"We fly out of Turkey's air base that brings us closer and allows us to hit ISIL more quickly and more forcefully than we could," Toner responded. "Turkey is a front line state in this conflict."

He said Daesh is "as much an existential threat for Turkey as it is for any of us", noting that Turkey is a capable partner in the fight against Daesh.

Toner said dialogue between Turkey and the U.S. is focused on protecting Turkish borders as it has received a major influx of refugees.

Turkey has hosted 3 million refugees and defended itself against several attacks by Daesh, including a twin suicide bombing in Ankara last month that killed at least 102 victims.