IS fires rockets at Iraq base used by Turkish troops

Carter’s visit was largely aimed at fulfilling the US administration’s wish to accelerate the war against the Syria- and Iraq-based terror group, despite reluctance from the Iraqi government about allowing the USA a greater military role in the country, according to a report Wednesday by the Associated Press.

Six F-15e Strike Eagles were deployed to Turkey on November 13 to conduct strikes in Syria and Iraq…

The attack came amid a dispute between Turkey and Iraq over Ankara’s recent move to send reinforcements for its trainers at the camp.

Turkey’s military said the camp was hit by Katyusha rockets fired by IS militants during a battle with Iraq’s Kurdish peshmerga fighters.

The U.S. had recently offered Apache helicopters and additional troops to help retake Ramadi and Mosul, where ISIS has a significant presence.

A key US priority is for Turkey to finally close a stretch of its border with Syria that IS controls on the Syrian side, denying the extremist group a crucial corridor for funneling foreign fighters into Syria. Iraqi commanders say the prestige of the country’s army, following last year’s humiliating collapse, is at stake as they seek to fully recapture the city by year’s end. He said he plans to discuss the offer with Iraqi leaders, adding that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said he is willing to consider it and any decision is up to the Iraqi government.

He was due to leave Iraq the same day after meeting Iraqi leaders and partners in the US-led anti-IS coalition, an official said on condition of anonymity.

Members of the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (IS) have attacked a Turkish military camp in Ba’shiqah, northern Iraq, the Turkish Haberturk newspaper reported Dec.16.

“The prime minister did not make any specific requests in connection with helicopters…in connection with Ramadi”, Carter said. “It’s kind of hard to inflict support on somebody”, he said.

Even while urging North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally Turkey to tread lightly in Iraq, the US has been pressing Turkey to step up its involvement in the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS. After Carter announced the new special operations force, Shi’ite militias pledged to fight any such USA deployment.

Carter’s visit is part of a Middle East swing that began in Turkey on Tuesday and also aims to coax more contributions from US allies in the campaign against Islamic State.