The U.S. Sends 6 Fighter Jets and 300 Troops to Turkey to Combat ISIS

In its latest move to conduct airstrikes and operations against the forces of the group known as the "Islamic State" (ISIS), the United States has sent six F-16 fighter jets and a contingent of 300 experienced personnel to the Incirlik base in Turkey. The transfer of the jets and American personnel to Incirlik is part of an agreement between the two countries in recent weeks to expand cooperation in the battles against the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The U.S. Department of Defense stated that the "small group" was dispatched from the "Aviano" airbase in Italy. Support equipment has also been sent to Incirlik without further details. Conducting attacks from this airbase in southern Turkey, which both Ankara and Washington have access to, could be a significant step in the coalition's battles against the "Islamic State" in Syrian territory. For instance, the shorter distance could reduce the time to reach targets and increase the duration of remaining over Syrian airspace. The Pentagon's statement emphasized that the U.S. and Turkey are committed to fighting against ISIS for "peace and stability in the region." Turkey's recent decision to allow the use of this base effectively ended months of relative withdrawal from battles against the group known as the "Islamic State." This new decision comes amid reports of decreasing stability along the 900-kilometer border between Turkey and Syria. For example, an explosion among a group of leftist associations in Turkey, which intended to announce their departure to the city of Kobani in Syria, resulted in dozens of casualties in the city of Suruç. In this context, Turkey has announced that it will soon begin extensive operations against ISIS alongside the U.S.