Subscribe 

PKK issue complicates Turkey’s role in fight against IS

On Sept. 10, US President Barack Obama will outline his administration’s plans for fighting the Islamic State (IS). His secretary of defense, Chuck Hagel, was in Ankara Sept. 9 to see what role Turkey could take in this US-led coalition of the willing against the IS militants in Iraq. Although the Turkish side refrained from […]

Tuli Daloglu writes for Al Monitor:

On Sept. 10, US President Barack Obama will outline his administration’s plans for fighting the Islamic State (IS). His secretary of defense, Chuck Hagel, was in Ankara Sept. 9 to see what role Turkey could take in this US-led coalition of the willing against the IS militants in Iraq. Although the Turkish side refrained from making any clear public commitment to this coalition, it agreed to be part of it in principle. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed that Turkish officials are worried about a potential backlash that could cost the lives of 49 Turkey’s Mosul consulate hostages held by IS militants since June 11, and also concerned about Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members acquiring more weapons.