Turkey’s sudden willingness to join the fight against the Islamic State group (IS) is a sign that it is afraid of losing clout with the US, but its second front against Kurdish rebels in Iraq on Saturday could complicate Washington’s war.
For months, Ankara had been reluctant to join the US-led coalition against IS despite gains made by the extremist group on Turkey’s doorstep.
Now, Turkish warplanes are directly targeting IS locations — the latest bombing run coming early on Saturday for a second day. Turkey then opened a second front on Kurdish rebel sites.
The strikes against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) muddle the US-led fight against the IS. The US has relied on Syrian Kurdish fighters affiliated with the PKK while making gains against the IS.
Late on Saturday, the White House said Turkey has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks by Kurdish rebels.
White House National Security Council Spokesman Alistair Baskey strongly condemned recent attacks by the PKK, which the US has designated a terrorist group, and said the PKK should renounce terrorism and resume talks with Turkey’s government. However, Baskey also said both sides should avoid violence and pursue de-escalation.
The Turkish jets hit shelters and storage facilities belonging to the PKK in seven areas in northern Iraq, including Mount Quandil where the group’s headquarters are located, authorities said.
It was Turkey’s first aerial raid in northern Iraq against the PKK since Turkey embarked on peace talks with the Kurds in 2012. The PKK declared a ceasefire in 2013.
Turkey’s shift in policy toward the fight against IS also comes amid closer cooperation between Iran and the US following a recent nuclear agreement.
An analyst said the agreement threatened to lessen Turkey’s strategic importance, prompting it to cooperate with the US-led coalition against the extremists.
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