U.S. Military’s Counter-ISIS Operations From Turkey Left Uncertain Amid Coup Attempt

[Purveyor]

The U.S. military’s future use of Turkish bases in the campaign against the Islamic State was left uncertain Friday evening amid an attempted coup against the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Defense officials at the Pentagon, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the attempted coup as it unfolded, said Friday that they were aware of what was occurring in Turkey but still working to determine its effects on U.S. operations.

The Pentagon has increasingly relied on Turkish military installations as the United States has waged its war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. In particular, U.S. troops at Incirlik Air Base near the southern border with Syria and at Diyarbakir Air Base in the southeastern part of the country both have a direct role in the military campaign against the militants.

At Incirlik, the United States has based A-10 attack planes, KC-135 tankers and unmanned aircraft, with an Air Force commander there assessing in May that his unit handled one-third of all refueling operations for the air war over Iraq and Syria.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/07/15/u-s-militarys-counter-isis-operations-from-turkey-left-uncertain-amid-coup-attempt/

[David__77]

1. Perhaps a government opposed to Islamic State will come to power in Turkey.

I do not think that the Turkish government has opposed Islamic State.

[47of74]

2. If they have it hasn't been enough.

[proverbialwisdom]

4. I've seen indications of that, too. Google Bilal Erdogan ISIS Iraqi oil for some shocking reporting.

[BlueMTexpat]

3. Since the coup attempt seems to have

failed, there is likely no need to worry about this aspect.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36814044

When the tide turned

For hours it was unclear where President Erdogan was. Reports said he was on holiday at the Aegean resort of Marmaris, deep in Turkey's south-west.

The tide turned when the president flew into Istanbul's Ataturk airport and gave a defiant news conference.

The moment he touched base in Istanbul it was clear the government was regaining control and had the support of senior military figures.

Ankara, where his palace and the government are based, was not yet secure, but in Istanbul he was able to address Turkey directly.

Whether Westerners like Erdogan or not, he has the majority of support among the Turkish population as well as among the military. From the same link:

But the chief of staff, Gen Hulusi Akar, was not part of the coup, nor was the head of the army in Istanbul, who took command while Gen Akar was being held by the plotters.

The navy chief and special forces commander also spoke out against the uprising and F-16 fighter jets attacked some of the rebel tanks.

Some have speculated about links to the Gülen movement (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BClen_movement) and Erdogan himself has cast blame there (http://time.com/4408855/turkey-coup-fethullah-gulen-gulenist-movement/), but at least some elements of that movement have denied involvement. See https://www.neweurope.eu/article/gulen-movement-brussels-denied-involvement-turkeys-coup-d-etat/