US backs Turkish offensive with airstrikes around al-Bab
After repeated appeals from Turkey for the United States to help Turkish troops and their rebel proxies to capture al-Bab, US airstrikes are resuming in a move that could help diffuse growing tensions between the NATO allies.
The United States has resumed airstrikes in support of Turkey’s ongoing campaign against the Islamic State in Syria, a spokesman for the US-led coalition based in Baghdad told reporters Jan. 17. The move could help diffuse growing tensions between the NATO allies.
Air Force Col. John Dorrian said four airstrikes carried out on Tuesday near the IS-held town of al-Bab hit IS construction equipment and tactical vehicles, including an armored personnel carrier. US forces are likely to remain active in and around al-Bab in the coming days, Dorrian said. He called Tuesday’s operation “in our mutual interest.”
The move follows repeated appeals from Turkey for the United States to help Turkish troops and their rebel proxies to capture al-Bab. The operation, which is in its third month, has encountered fierce resistance from the jihadis, with dozens of Turkish soldiers and many more rebels killed in the fight.
Washington’s reluctance to carry out strikes prompted angry statements from Turkey’s leaders, who accused the United States of siding with “terrorists” and hinted that it could even block coalition access to the Incirlik Air Base, which is critical to the anti-IS effort.
