US Launches First Manned Airstrikes on ISIS from Turkey

The United States launched its first manned airstrikes against Islamic State positions in Syria and Iraq from Incirlik Airbase in Turkey while a ceasefire organized by Iran and Turkey took effect between rebels and Syrian government forces and their ally Hezbollah.

Reuters reports that U.S. F-16s flying from the air base, only recently opened to U.S. air forces by the Turkish government for targeting ISIS, had taken part in raids against the Islamic State. Previously, unmanned drones had been used for strikes and surveillance.

No Turkish planes took part in the raids.

The opening of Incrilik has been hailed as a milestone in the battle against ISIS as it allows the United States and its allies to more quickly and effectively respond to the situation on the ground in Iraq and Syria because of its proximity to the two countries.

Turkey has been criticized for supporting ISIS via arms supplies and allowing ISIS fighters to easily transit its borders and receive medical care in its hospitals. Turkey has come in for even more criticism because at the same time that it granted the U.S. access to the base at Incirlik, it also began to launch a series of airstrikes against Kurdish positions in Iraq and Syria. Some have said Turkey views the Kurds as a larger threat than ISIS.

Another Reuters report says that Turkey and Iran were instrumental in brokering a 48-hour ceasefire, illustrating the clout that both countries have on the ground in Syria. Iran backs the Syrian government of Bashar Al-Assad and the militant group Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon, while Turkey supports a number of rebel groups, allegedly including ISIS.

The ceasefire is focused on fighting around the town of Zabani and initial reports say that both sides are indeed respecting the negotiated ceasefire, which should provide civilians an opportunity to escape the fighting.