Turkey to Debate Allowing Foreign Troops Use its Bases in US-Led Campaign

Local Editor

Turkey's parliament will debate allowing foreign military forces to use Turkish bases for cross-border operations against so-called "Daesh" [ISIL] militants in Syria and Iraq, according to a government proposal submitted on Tuesday.

The government proposal said: "The cabinet of ministers has decided ... to ask permission from parliament ... to send the Turkish Armed Forces if necessary to foreign countries for cross-border operations and interventions, and to position foreign militaries in Turkey for the same purposes."

Parliament is expected to debate the proposal on Thursday, with the ruling AK Party's strong majority meaning it is likely to be approved.

As many as 1,000 Turks have joined Daesh, according to Turkish news media reports and government officials.

Moreover, a fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, Aaron Stein, has said that, "There are clearly recruitment centers being set up in Ankara and elsewhere in Turkey, but the government doesn't seem to care."