Turkish and American authorities are discussing ways to use the İncirlik Base for drone attacks against ISIS concentrations in Syria and Iraq. Discussions center on the Turkish demand that the Assad regime needs to go for a permanent solution in Syria.
Washington and Ankara have been discussing the use of Turkey's İncirlik air base, a key installation within 100 kilometers from the Syrian border, in launching airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) with drones. As the U.S. wants to see quick and effective solutions in the Mosul offensive against ISIS, which is planned to take place by this summer with the use of Turkey's air bases, Ankara is pushing its demands to allow Washington to use the air bases. Among Ankara's demands to allow the anti-ISIS coalition to use its bases is targeting the regime of President Bashar Assad since Ankara asserts that stabilization in the region is only possible if Assad is ousted. The issue of allowing U.S. aircrafts to use the İncirlik air base is also open to negotiations.
The use of Turkey's air bases in the Mosul offensive was discussed last week when U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Lloyd Austin arrived in Turkey to hold talks on the regional turmoil. Following Austin's visit, Ankara yesterday hosted the U.S. coordinator for the anti-ISIS coalition, Gen. John Allen, to discuss the fight against ISIS.
