Turkish airstrikes in Syria could signal new role in fight against ISIL

Turkish airstrikes in Syria could signal new role in fight against ISIL
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By Seamus Kearney
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Ankara has also dropped its earlier refusal to allow US warplanes to launch strikes from a Turkish base

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It is an apparent sign that Turkey is now willing to take a front-line role in the fight against ISIL militants.

Turkish warplanes have bombed militant targets inside Syria, following a firefight with ISIL near its border on Thursday. One militant and one soldier died.

Ankara has also dropped its earlier refusal to allow US warplanes to launch strikes from a Turkish base.

Turkey opens an airbase to the U.S. for strikes at ISIS in Syria http://t.co/8kHFR9bFv5

— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 24, 2015

Turkey has been hesitant for months to get involved in the fight against ISIL.

But the country has been facing increasing violence along its border with Syria.

Thirty two people, mostly Kurds, died in a suspected ISIL suicide bombing in the town of Suruc this week.

In a tough response, scores of suspected militants have been arrested in raids in numerous cities across Turkey.

More than 250 people are reported to have been detained, including suspected ISIL and Kurdish militants.

After months of indecision, Turkey has entered the war against the Islamic State in Syria, dandeluce</a> reports <a href="http://t.co/amfc3Diu2p">http://t.co/amfc3Diu2p</a></p>&mdash; Foreign Policy (ForeignPolicy) July 24, 2015

Turkey launches strikes against Islamic State in Syria for the first time http://t.co/VYE2UnUX1J

— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 24, 2015

#UPDATE Turkey PM vows to continue operations against IS, PKK http://t.co/J3jB15dMnf

— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) July 24, 2015

Turkish jets hit Islamic State positions in Syria: PM's office http://t.co/CRLlq7Ap4t

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 24, 2015

Turkey to build wall on Syria border after Isil Suruc bombing http://t.co/hNlNL2WUQYpic.twitter.com/bzFHnKRJx9

— Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) July 23, 2015

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