Opinions mixed over Turkey’s escalating involvement in fight against IS

World Today

An uptick in violence in Turkey comes after the government announced it was ready to begin a comprehensive fight against Islamic State jihadists alongside the United States. Ankara has long been criticized for failing to stop the flow of militants across its border with Syria.

But as Turkey steps up its involvement, including targeting Kurdish militants and allowing U.S. forces to use its air base, more questions have been raised about the country’s exact role. CCTV America’s Natalie Carney filed this report from Istanbul.

Opinions mixed about Turkey\'s escalating involvement

An uptick in violence in Turkey comes after the government announced it was ready to begin a comprehensive fight against Islamic State jihadists alongside the United States. Ankara has long been criticized for failing to stop the flow of militants across its border with Syria. But as Turkey steps up its involvement, including targeting Kurdish militants and allowing U.S. forces to use its air base, more questions have been raised about the country's exact role. CCTV-America's Natalie Carney filed this report from Istanbul.

Other details:

  • The U.S. conducted its first drone strike from a southern Turkish base into northern Syria only 200 kilometers (124 miles) away and is preparing for the use of manned U.S. warplanes.
  • U.S. President Barack Obama said he backs Turkey’s right to defend itself against the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), but insists the focus of their deal is on ISIL.
  • Violence between Kurdish militants and Turkish security forces continues in the southeast of the country, reigniting serious concerns of the return of the country’s own devastating 30-year civil war.

Bulent Aliriza of CSIS discusses violence in Syria
CCTV America’s Mike Walter interviewed Bulent Aliriza, the founding director of the Turkey Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, about the growing escalation of violence in Syria.