Turkey criticized a lack of NATO air support for a Turkish-backed offensive by Syrian rebels to conquer the Islamic State-held town of al-Bab in northern Syria. “It is thought-provoking that ally countries, especially countries with whom we have worked together in NATO for many years, countries who formed a coalition against the Islamic State, do not support the operation Turkish armed forces and the Free Syrian Army have started in al-Bab, a key town in the fight against Daesh (Islamic State). It is thought-provoking that they don’t give the support we asked for.” Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said.
NATO members Turkey and the United States are at odds over the role of Kurdish militia fighters in northern Syria, who have frontlines close to the town of al-Bab. Turkey has demanded on the US-led coalition against the Islamic State to provide air support for the operation around the town of al-Bab, which has not so far been forthcoming, in a bid to avoid targeting of the Kurdish militias considering the fact that the most significant force operating on the ground against the Islamic State both in Syria and Iraq are Kurdish militants. “This causes Turkey to question the Incirlik airbase. But we have a long-standing alliance. We must solve our problems at the table. Talks are underway between military and civilian officials. We hope that all coalition forces, especially the United States, will provide the air support we need,” Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said.
The US Air Force has around 5,000 personnel at the Incirlik air base in southern Turkey, which serves as a hub for the U.S.-led coalition trying to defeat Islamic State over the borders in Syria and Iraq.