WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Washington has asked the Turkish government to refrain from independent airstrikes against ISIL positions prior to full integration into US-led coalition against the terrorists, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said in the briefing on Thursday.
“We have requested Turkey not to undertake independent counter-ISIL strikes in Syria until Turkey is fully integrated in coalition operations to ensure safe air operations for the coalition in very dense airspace, and the Turks have agreed to that,” Kirby said.
The spokesman added that at present, no timeframe has been set for the integration completion.
On Wednesday, the United States launched first manned airstrikes from Incirlik airbase under the deal reached in July by US President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Earlier on Thursday, US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass said the beginning of joint strikes is a proof of strong bilateral cooperation in fight against terrorists.
