Baku, Azerbaijan, July 24
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Turkish Air Force's operations against the militants of the Islamic State (IS) in Turkey are considered ambiguous in the country. For the government this is the demonstration of the country's military might. But for the country's opposition this is Turkey's involvement in military actions in Syria.
The Turkish Air Force has today resumed bombing IS militants' positions again. As a result, at least 35 militants were killed.
All this happened amid the talks between US President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
That's why, some media outlets have concluded that Turkey allegedly delivered use of the Incirlik military base for striking the militants' positions. But the Turkish authorities neither denied nor confirmed this information.
One point has been missed. The Turkish Air Force carried out all operations from a military base in the province of Diyarbakir.
That is, although Turkey is entitled to deliver the Incirlik base against IS militants, this has not happened.
The Turkish parliament adopted the so-called Syrian mandate in 2012. Under the mandate, Ankara may take any actions against terrorism and other threats turned against the country, reflect the danger that may arise on the part of terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria.
Turkey, according to the mandate, may also protect its interests before and after a crisis, and, if necessary, to use its army in military operations in other countries (Syria and Iraq).
Along with that, the mandate provides for the possibility of presence of foreign military units in the country's territory, and if necessary using them at the discretion of the Turkish government.
Given Turkey's location and its military power, this country has a key role in fighting the militants of the "Islamic State".
And even if the "Islamic State" poses a serious threat to Turkey, Ankara has its own vision in the fight against that terrorist organization.
Earlier, the Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that the Syrian government is the main reason for the growth of radicalism and gathering of terrorists.
Currently, for Ankara, there is no difference between the "Islamic State", Syrian wing of PKK - Democratic Unity Party (PYD) and the Syrian authorities.
Ankara has two main conditions for joining the coalition forces against the "Caliphate".
The first condition is to ensure creation of a safety zone 90-kilometers long on the border on the Syrian side, between the cities of Mare and Jarabulus, with a depth of 50 kilometers.
The second condition envisages training of the Free Syrian Army that is currently the main ally of Turkey in Syria.
Turkish authorities won't join the anti-"Caliphate" coalition if these two conditions are not fulfilled.
Turkey will continue to strike IS positions on Syria's territory and this was reaffirmed by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
He said that for the present, there is no need to start a military operation on Syria's territory, but if this happens, nothing will stop the country's army.
But one fact is overlooked: PKK and the "Islamic State" intensified their activities against Turkey simultaneously.
Edited by CN
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Rufiz Hafizoglu is the head of Trend Agency's Arabic news service, follow him on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
