Turkey is expressing a "firm commitment" to participating in the US-led coalition’s anti-Daesh efforts, the Pentagon said Monday.
"The US and Turkey are finalizing technical details for Turkey's full inclusion in these coalition operations," Pentagon spokesman Maj. James Brindle said in a statement to Anadolu Agency.
"Until these details are finalized, the US has requested Turkey not to undertake independent counter-ISIL strikes in Syria, to ensure safe air operations for the coalition in dense airspace. Turkey agreed," Brindle said, using an alternative acronym for the militant group.
Turkish officials have said that Turkey will soon begin to participate in coalition airstrikes against Daesh.
Last month, Turkey agreed to allow US-led coalition forces to launch airstrikes against Daesh positions from Incirlik, which is located close to Turkey’s border with war-torn Syria.
The US began flying armed missions from the strategic Incirlik Air Base in southeastern Turkey last weekend, and carried out the first unmanned airstrike from the facility last Tuesday.
Over the weekend, the US sent a contingent of six F-16s, and 300 American personnel to the base.
Brindle said he has no information on additional deployments.
"Any augmentations will depend on mission requirements," he said, adding that the US expects to begin flying manned missions "in the near term".
