U.S. targets southern Turkey as base to tackle threat of IS

The United States have requested access to an air base in southern Turkey which could become a strategic stronghold in the battle against Islamic State militants. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said U.S. officials have raised the possibility of using the Incirlik air base, near Adana, during discussions this week. He said Turkey has valuable military capabilities which would help in the U.S. effort to strike IS. Mr Hagel made the comments at the start of a six-day, three-country visit to South America where he is due to stop first in Colombia. U.S. leaders have urged Ankara to become more involved in the battle against IS, whose militants have spread across Iraq and Syria and taken control of territory near the Turkish border.

We all need to prepare ourselves for the reality that other towns and villages and perhaps Kobani will be taken by IS.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby

Washington said US forces launched a further nine airstrikes around the embattled town of Kobani on Thursday as the battle for control of the town continued. Islamic State militants have captured more ground in the Syrian border town despite intensified U.S.-led airstrikes. IS fighters seized control of a third of Kobani on Thursday and that figure was reported to have risen to 40 per cent on Friday. U.S. Central Command said it is continuing to monitor the situation, adding “indications are that Kurdish militia there continue to control most of the city and are holding out against ISIL”. But officials have warned that the airstrikes alone may not be enough stop the IS advance on Turkey’s doorstep.

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