U.S. aircrafts arrive at Incirlik airbase for battle against IS: Turkish FM

U.S. aircrafts and drones have arrived in Turkey's southern Incirlik airbase, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevult Cavusoglu said Wednesday, noting that the two countries will soon kick off a "comprehensive battle against the Islamic State (IS) altogether."

"As part of our agreement with the U.S., we have opened our air bases, particularly Incirlik," Cavusoglu told state-run broadcaster TRT during his visit to Malaysia.

"We're witnessing manned and unmanned U.S. planes arriving soon and we will launch a comprehensive fight against IS altogether," the minister said.

Incirlik airbase in the southern province of Adana is strategically located beside the Syrian border and is a key military base for various international campaigns in the Iraq war.

The Turkish government granted permission for anti-IS coalition forces, including the U.S. and other regional countries, to deploy manned and unmanned aircrafts in Turkey's military airbases, a written Turkish foreign ministry statement said on July 24.

Turkish air forces will also join the military operations, the statement said.

"Incirlik airbase may be used at any time when necessary," said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic on July 29, adding that Turkish and American military officials are discussing plans concerning upcoming operations against IS.

The agreement follows months of appeals by the U.S. for Turkey to play a comprehensive role in the anti-IS coalition, including opening its Incirlik Airbase for attacks against IS.

Following a recent deadly suicide bombing in the border town of Suruc, the Turkish military launched military operations against IS targets within Syria and adopted a more obvious role in fighting IS. Enditem