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http://english.irib.ir/voj/top-stories/item/219442-
Turkey’s airstrikes not directed at ISIL: Pentagon chief
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has criticized Turkey for not using its air power properly since the ISIL terrorists first arose close to its border in Syria. According to Press TV, the Pentagon chief told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that most of the air attacks Turkey has launched so far are directed at PKK militants, not ISIL terrorists.
Carter said “Most of their air operations are not directed at ISIL,” adding “They are directed at the PKK, which we understand their concern about — it’s a terrorist organization within their borders — but we would like to see them do more against ISIL.”
Carter said Ankara has also failed to control its borders “effectively,” adding “I have been urging, actually, since I’ve come to this job, Turkey to do more.”
The US defense secretary said that Turkey’s geography makes it a useful asset to the US-led international coalition against ISIL, but Ankara has failed to show any significant performance in this regard.
He said “We would like them to operate more both in the air and on the ground.”
The United States and its regional allies, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia, have been backing terrorists fighting against the Syrian government.