It will also allow foreign forces to use its territory for possible operations against the IS group
I.S. plans to open its consulate in Turkey
Ankara, Turkey: Turkey's parliament approved a motion Thursday that gives the government new powers to launch military incursions into Syria and Iraq and to allow foreign forces to use its territory for possible operations against the IS group.
Parliament voted 298-98 in favor of the motion which sets the legal framework for any Turkish military involvement in Iraq or Syria, and for the potential use of Turkish bases by foreign troops.
Meanwhile, the militants pressed their offensive against a beleaguered Kurdish town along the Syria-Turkey border. The assault, which has forced about 160,000 people to flee across the frontier in recent days, left Kurdish militiamen scrambling on Thursday to repel IS extremists pushing into the outskirts of Kobani, also known as Ayn Arab.
Turkey, a NATO member with a large and modern military, has yet to define what role it intends to play in the U.S.-led coalition against the IS group. Parliament had previously approved operations into Iraq and Syria to attack Kurdish separatists or to thwart threats from Syria.
I.S. plans to open its consulate in Turkey:
In a major embarrassment to Turkey President Recep Erdogan, terror outfit IS has unveiled plans to open a ‘consulate’ in Istanbul, soon.
Mr Erdogan has, in the past, vehemently denied the presence of elements from the Syria-based extremist group in his country. But on Wednesday, a government spokesperson didn't refute a report in a daily which claimed that the Turkish government was developing 'formal ties' with the terror group following the consulate announcement.
ISIS claims the office will be responsible for 'providing consular services' for those who were willing to join its ranks. It added that the consulate would also pay medical bills of injured fighters who travel to Turkey for treatment and care.
( Source : ap/agencies )
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