Iraq and Syria based militant group, ISIS, has demanded the attention of many in the world. Since the Justice and Development party (AKP) came to the power it got the international recognition for the development. Turkey always played the important and sincere role in the Middle East politics either in the Arab spring or Tunisia and now Iraq and Syria. In Syria the situation has become worst all negotiations has failed. And situation has become the headache for the world. Some figured about the Syria that according to Syrian Observatory for Human rights more than 200,000 people were killed since the start of the war in 2011. According to the UN refugee welfare (UNRWA), there are 3.8 million Syrian refugees that have taken asylum in neighbouring countries. On 22 or 23 July, the U.S. reached an agreement with Turkey for American warplanes striking ISIL in Syria to use the Turkish air bases at Ä°ncirlik in YüreÄŸir, Adana Province and Diyarbakır in Diyarbakır Province, both in southern Turkey. Turkey confirmed the deal on 24 July US Gen. Joseph L. Votel, head of the Pentagon’s Special Operations Command, on 24 July thanked Turkey for its permission to use the Turkish air bases:”It provides additional flexibility and agility in addressing this enemy ISIL. It also means that Turkey has taken another step forward in being more committed to helping us.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has consistently praised Turkey's efforts and assistance in the fight against Daesh terrorist organization and underscored the fact that Turkey has been the most affected from the ongoing crisis in Syria. On the humanitarian ground Turkey built many school buildings, refugee camps there currently living 2.7 million Syrian refugees. Till now Turkey has spent almost $7.5 billion for tackling the refugees’ problem. Turkey has very long border with Syria approximately 511 miles. And Turkish army contain ISIS terrorist to enter in the country various points of the border. Actually Turkey fighting two fronts of war one side is PKK ( Kurdistan workers Party) and other side is ISIS. No doubt that Turkey is fighting with PKK last 30 years and Turkey has declared both PKK and PYD (Democratic Kurdistan Workers’ Party) terrorist organizations. One year before Turkey started peace talks with PKK to disarming the group but it carry on terrorist activities and trying to instable Turkey. Turkish army has long experience to fight with terrorist organization of PKK (Kurdistan workers party) and its expanding groups. Since the beginning of the year, Turkey has detained fewer than 700 people who are suspected of affiliation with the Islamic State group, data compiled by Andalou Agency reveals. Turkey has also carried out cross-border air operations in Syria and in Iraq where it has killed “hundreds” of suspected ISIS militants. As well despite fighting with ISIS Turkey doing another important role to prevent the foreigner nationals those are influencing ISIS ideology since 2011, Turkey has deported 3,290 foreign terrorist fighters from 95 countries and refused 38,269 individuals entry to Turkey. Turkish authorities have arrested around 1.200 people inside Turkey through the past year for suspected links with ISIS. This means that Turkey is at active war with ISIS they are planning very big attack in Turkey.
Turkey is an important member of NATO and it has second largest army after U.S. So that it has duty and responsibility to maintain stability in the region. U.S officials have stressed the importance of Turkey’s active participation in the coalition. Not only does it has a better equipped and more capable military than the U.S.’s other regional anti-ISIS allies, but also bases with proximity to strategic ISIS locations which will be key for both surveillance and military action. Turkey has been taking "very important" steps to improve security in its border where ISIS is reigning terror. U.S. Vice president Biden also was quoted by the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News as saying that the United States and Turkey were prepared for a military solution in Syria against ISIS if a political settlement was not possible. Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu also said terrorism did not threaten only one country; rather it threatened all neighbouring countries and the world.
The Turkish Air Force using F-16 and F-4 jets in the operations against ISIS and Air Base in Adana has become an essential military post for the coalition to hit ISIS positions in Syria. Turkey has very advanced and modern weapons to counter the ISIS. The U.S. and Turkey earlier this summer said Ankara sealed the deal with Washington on the condition of establishing an ISIS-free zone in northern Syria and increased cooperation between the coalition and Syrian rebels against ISIS. It is not possible for any country to continue the peace process with those who threaten any national unity and brotherhood nation first policy adopts any country in the world.
Turkey was the first country to recognise and label ISIL as a terrorist organisation. When Turkey's consulate in Mosul was under siege and their staffs were taken hostage by ISIL, Turkey had to deploy diplomatic tactics to save its own citizens. Turkey warned when it captured one of the Brussels bombers were when it arrested in Turkey and deported back to Belgium in June with a warning that he was a militant. If this warning took seriously may be brutal attack not happened in Brussels. Turkey has done good job for humanity. Fight against ISIS is not a single country mission it is a united mission and Turkey would play the important strategic role.
Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of FORE INDIA.