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Turkey authorities impose lockdown at İncirlik air base: United States consulate
Posted On Jul 16 2016
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“At this time, Turkish authorities are not permitting aircraft to depart Incirlik”, an American military official said on Saturday morning.
“Keeping those troops in place is a priority for the US, which launches airstrikes against ISIS from Incirlik”, Brennan said.
The US military has suspended air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq from a base in southern Turkey, a US official said. “The power there has also been cut”, the United States consulate in Adana said in a message. The power there has also been cut. Mr. Cook said United States officials were “working with the Turks to resume air operations there as soon as possible”.
Demonstrators in Ankara, Turkey are demanding the death penalty for those behind the coup and the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanding the U.S extradite a Muslim cleric Fetullah Gulen – someone he blames for the attempted coup.
The Turkish government has closed its airspace to military aircraft, including to coalition aircraft operating out of Incirlik at part of Operation Inherent Resolve. But it came as security forces were arrested thousands of Turkish soldiers across the country for involvement in the coup.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) is now adjusting its operations against Islamic State (IS, former ISIS/ISIL) to account for the lockdown at Incirlik airbase, TASS reports, citing sources in Pentagon.
“The US is behind the coup attempt”.
Erdogan’s pledge to punish the coup leaders within the military could lead to a broader purge in Turkey’s armed forces, which might at least temporarily slow Turkey’s effort to fight the Islamic State. “All our assets in Turkey are fully under control and there was no attempt to challenge that status”.
“I spoke this evening to Foreign Minister (Mevlut) Cavusoglu and emphasized the United States’ absolute support for Turkey’s democratically elected, civilian government and democratic institutions”, Secretary of State John Kerry said late Friday.
