Turkey bombs Islamic State targets in Syria

The BBC and other news sources reported that Turkish planes had for the first time on the 24 July 2015 carried out air strikes against Islamic State (IS) group targets in Syria. This followed the bombing in the predominantly Kurdish town of Suruc in Turkey on the 20 July 2015, in which 32 people were killed, mostly university students. In addition IS militants had engaged in fire with a Turkish military outpost on the 23 July 2015 in which a Turkish soldier had been killed.

It was also made clear that Turkey would now let the US launch air strikes against IS from the Incirlik air base.

Analysts indicated the significance of these developments. Turkey had been in the coalition against IS since the beginning but had not been fully cooperating due to its differing views over the Syrian crisis.

Police, backed by helicopters and special forces, also launched overnight raids 23/24 July 2015 on more than 100 suspected ISIL and Kurdish militant locations in İstanbul, according to media reports.

News sources on the 25 July 2015 reported that Turkish jets had also staged aerial attacks on Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) positions in northern Iraq. It was the first time Turkey had struck Kurds in northern Iraq since a peace deal between Ankara and the PKK was announced in 2013.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Suicide bomber strikes Turkish border town as Syrian war spills over http://www.europeansources.info/record/suicide-bomber-strikes-turkish-border-town-as-syrian-war-spills-over/

ESO: Background information: Islamic State: Turkey to let Iraq Kurds join Kobane fight http://www.europeansources.info/record/islamic-state-turkey-to-let-iraq-kurds-join-kobane-fight/

The Guardian, 24.07.15: Turkish F-16 jets carry out strikes against Isis on Syrian side of border http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/turkish-jets-carry-out-strikes-against-isis-in-syria-reports

Deutsche Welle, 24.07.15: Turkey strikes 'IS' targets in Syria http://dw.com/p/1G3yv

France24, 24.07.15: Turkish army engages in crossborder fight with IS group in Syria http://www.france24.com/en/20150724-turkey-army-syria-border-hurriyet

Today's Zaman, 24.07.15: Turkish jets hit ISIL targets in Syria http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkish-jets-hit-isil-targets-in-syria_394462.html

Today's Zaman, 24.07.15: Turkish police detain 251 in anti-terror operations across Turkey http://www.todayszaman.com/latest-news_turkish-police-detain-251-in-anti-terror-operations-across-turkey_394463.html

BBC News, 24.07.15: Turkey vows to continue campaign against Islamic State militants http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33654021

Hürriyet, 24.07.15: Turkey launches open fight against IS (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/medienindex/media_articles/archiv_article/ARTICLE166893-Turkey-launches-open-fight-against-IS

Deutsche Welle, 24.07.15: [Opinion]: Turkey steps up fight against 'Islamic State' http://dw.com/p/1G4Gy

Today's Zaman, 24.07.15: Turkey approves use of multiple air bases by US, coalition against ISIL http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkey-approves-use-of-multiple-air-bases-by-us-coalition-against-isil_394501.html

Today's Zaman, 25.07.15: Turkish fighter jets hit PKK targets in northern Iraq http://www.todayszaman.com/anasayfa_turkish-fighter-jets-hit-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq_394563.html

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 25.07.15: High Representative Federica Mogherini speaks to Foreign Minister of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/150725_02_en.htm

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 27.07.15: Turkey attacks IS and PKK http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER167028-Turkey-attacks-IS-and-PKK

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