Turkey warplanes bomb IS, PKK targets
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E-mail Xinhua, July 25, 2015
The prime minister's remarks came in reply to a question if the United States agreed on Turkey's expectation to declare a safe region and no-fly zone in northern Syria which will protect the Syrian rebels.
Ankara and Washington would take "concrete steps" in the upcoming days in line with the agreement, Davutoglu said.
Open airbase for anti-IS coalition
Also on Friday, Turkey said in a statement that it has agreed to open its air bases, including the key Incirlik Airbase in southern Turkey, for the anti-IS coalition forces.
The Turkish government has given permission for the anti-IS coalition forces, including the United States and other regional countries, to deploy manned and unmanned aircraft in Turkey's military airbases, a written foreign ministry statement said.
Turkish air forces will also join in those military operations, added the statement.
Turkey has been making contribution to the anti-IS coalition operations within its national capacities, said the statement, citing a recent decision by the Turkish government to allow the U.S. armed drones to deploy in Turkey.
The agreement follows months of U.S. appeals to Turkey to play a full role in the coalition against IS, including opening its Incirlik Airbase for bombing raids against the militant group.
Reports said the recent deadly IS-backed suicide bombing in the Turkish border town has pushed Turkey to play a more direct and aggressive part in the fight against the extremist group.
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