Carter said Turkey has agreed in principle to join the U.S.-led airstrikes against the militants, but said it is only part of what the Turks need to do.
"We need them also as a neighbor to this conflict zone, as a longtime NATO ally and a responsible member of the anti-ISIL coalition to control...the long border that they have with both Syria and Iraq, more than it has been controlled over the last year," Carter said.
Islamic State fighters and equipment have been able to cross into Iraq and Syria from Turkey.
The secretary said he does not think the Turks are "dragging their feet," but said their increased participation, including joining the airstrikes, is "overdue."
"It's a year into the campaign, but they're indicating some considerable effort now, including allowing us to use their airfields. That's important, but not enough."
Carter said President Barack Obama has also been part of the active discussions with Turkey to get more involved.
Turkey agreed last month to allow U.S. jets attacking Islamic State to use Incirlik Air Base, but has focused its increased military participation in the region on its own long-running fight against Kurdish guerrillas.
U.S. intelligence says even after a year of the U.S. bombing campaign and some success on the ground by Iraqi forces, Islamic State is no weaker today than last September.
Carter refused Thursday to characterize the situation as a "stalemate." He said he is confident Islamic state will be defeated and that the U.S. is using the right strategy.
But he said the fight is complicated and hard work.
[voanews.com]
21/8/15
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Turkey should play a full part in the U.S.-led air campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group and take better control of its border with Syria, the U.S. defense secretary said Thursday...
ReplyDeletePentagon chief Ashton Carter said Turkey had agreed in principle to join the anti-ISIS coalition but should now add its own warplanes to the “air tasking order,” the military structure coordinating strikes.
“They need to join the ATO and they need to work more on controlling their border. And we've made that clear,” he told reporters.
“Their leadership has indicated that this needs to be done. It’s overdue, because it’s a year into the campaign, but they’re indicating some considerable effort now.”
Turkey agreed last month to step up its involvement in the war raging across its southern border in Syria and to allow U.S. planes to launch strikes from a Turkish base......AFP.....http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/08/21/U-S-says-Turkey-must-do-more-to-fight-ISIS.html
21/8/15