Asia

Home page

Asia

US increases support for Turkish military operations in Syria

10 January 2017 09:56 (UTC +04:00)

U.S. aircraft have begun regular aerial intelligence surveillance in support of Turkey’s offensive against the Islamic State in northwestern Syria, in anticipation of increased U.S. support for the flailing Turkish military operation around the town of al-Bab, reads an article posted by The Washington Post, APA reports.

“The increased support comes after weeks of U.S. military and diplomatic talks with Turkish counterparts, and Russian airstrikes backing the Turkish offensive”, said the article.

“U.S. support to ground troops, including airstrikes and equipment in addition to surveillance, would be similar to what the United States now provides to Syrian groups battling the militants, potentially including assistance from Special Operations advisers whose participation in the offensive has thus far been limited to an area inside the Syrian border about 10 miles north of al-Bab, according to administration and defense officials," the article said. "U.S. strikes over al-Bab would require an intensive effort to de-conflict American flights with those of Turkey and Russia, whose forces are also bombing there."

Since late August 2016, Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along its border.