Saudi and UAE military aircraft have arrived at the Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey. Turkish authorities announced Thursday that Saudi warplanes set to be used in the fight against ISIS would shortly arrive in the country.
The planes are to be stationed at the Incirlik base, which is already hosting US, British and French war planes taking part in the strikes against IS fighters in Syria.
Earlier, private NTV television said four Saudi F-15 jets would arrive at Incirlik on Friday. It said that 30 ground personnel and equipment had already arrived aboard C-130 Hercules military transport planes on Tuesday.
Ankara has said it is in favour of a ground operation in Syria, but only if it is conducted in coordination with Saudi Arabia and other Western and Gulf members of the anti-ISIS coalition.
"We have since the beginning argued for the necessity of ground operations and all kinds of strategic moves to be carried out in addition to the air campaign," Turkish foreign minister said.
Also Read
-
Saudi jets to arrive in Turkey to strike ISIS
Saudi Arabia and Turkey both see the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as essential for ending Syria’s five-year civil war Middle East -
Turkey insists on Syrian Kurd link to Ankara attack
Ankara has been keen to play up the links between the Syrian Kurdish fighters and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party Middle East -
Military moves: Turkey and Saudi Arabia close ranks on Syria
A Saudi official has confirmed that Riyadh has sent warplanes to Turkey’s southern Incirlik airbase Features -
Saudi Arabia confirms sending jets to Turkey
Brigadier General Ahmed al-Asiri told Al Arabiya that Saudi Arabia was committed to stepping up the fight against ISIS Middle East -
Turkey, Saudi could launch anti-ISIS ground operation in Syria: Ankara
Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation against ISIS militants in Syria, while Riyadh is also sending war planes to a Turkish base Middle East
