Following months of negotiations between Turkey and the United States, Turkish fighter jets finally joined in the active strikes by the US-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria on Aug. 28. The development comes after much speculation about “foot-dragging” on the part of Turkey, and some confusing statements from Ankara and Washington in recent weeks concerning these negotiations.
The Turkish participation in air raids against IS targets in Syria has also failed to do away with lingering doubts concerning Turkey’s true motives. Critics argue that Ankara has the Syrian Kurds allied to the United States and affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is outlawed in Turkey, in its cross hairs more than radical Islamic groups.
