airbase Archives

Germany Starts Military Withdrawal From Turkish Incirlik Airbase

July 9, 2017 by administrator

Germany started on Sunday the withdrawal of its forces from the Turkish Incirlik airbase, what was approved by Bundestag in June following Berlin’s row with Ankara, German media reported.

BERLIN (Sputnik) – First of all, Berlin will pull out tanker aircraft and reconnaissance Tornado jets, Der Spiegel magazine reported, citing its sources.

The Tornado jets will reportedly be withdrawn from Turkey to Germany until the end of July. After that, in a month and a half, the aircraft will be moved to a base in Jordan.

The conflict between Berlin and Ankara dates back to May, when Turkey blocked a group of German lawmakers from visiting servicemen stationed at Incirlik, which has been used by Berlin to carry out reconnaissance flights as part of the international operation against against the Daesh (outlawed in Russia) terrorist organization. Mustafa Yeneroglu, a Turkish lawmaker representing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), told Sputnik that the decision to ban German lawmakers from entering the base was made due to the threat posed by politicians who supported the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey.

To resolve the dispute between the two states, the German government backed the relocation of German troops from the Incirlk base. According to German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, the German military airplanes and equipment will be moved to airfield Azraq in northern Jordan.

Germany -Turkey Airbase expention WW1 replica readying WW3 €65 million Tornado jets

April 25, 2016 by administrator

German Tornado jets are pictured on the ground at the air base in Incirlik, Turkey, January 21, 2016. © Tobias Schwarz / Reuters

German Air Force is reportedly to have its own section at the Turkish Incirlik Air Base, which is already used by American warplanes to attack targets in Syria. The planned project will cost €65 million and is to be finished by summer 2017, Der Spiegel reports.

The air base is located in southern Turkey east of Adana close to the Mediterranean coast. Ankara allowed the US to use it for its Syrian campaign against Islamic State on the condition that it would not be used to support America’s Kurdish allies, whom the Turks see as a threat. Saudi Arabia has a presence at Incirlik as well.

The base international club welcomed Germany as its new member in December 2015, when the European country started flying reconnaissance missions as part of the US-led coalition. According to a report published Monday by Spiegel Online, the presence may soon become permanent.

The Bundeswehr is investing about €65 million to build accommodation for the permanent deployment of around 400 German soldiers, a fully equipped command and control post and facilities for a full wing of Tornado fighter-jets and an Airbus tanker, the report said.

Most of the project is expected to be completed by summer 2017 although, since access to the facility is limited to only authorized Turkish construction companies, the deadline may shift. Germany is still negotiating with Turkey on an agreement for permanent deployment of troops. NATO member Turkey currently hosts 200 German soldiers and officers on rotational basis.

The German magazine notes that the investment may prove quite long-term. In 2002, Germany signed an agreement with Uzbekistan to use a base near the city of Termez. The base was used to provide logistical support for German and NATO effort in neighboring Afghanistan.

The Termez Air Base was kept in use for 14 years and was only closed in December last year

Syrian Army Breaks 2-Year ISIL Siege of Airbase in Aleppo

November 10, 2015 by administrator

The Syrian Armed Forces have broken a two-year ISIL siege of the Kweiris airbase in the Aleppo province, a military source told RIA Novosti.

For two years, Syrian soldiers stationed at the airbase have been under an ISIL siege.

“The army managed to break through to Kweiris defenders, lifting the siege which had lasted over two years,” the military source said.

The source added that “this became possible after the liberation of Sheikh Ahmad [a village 2 km away from the airbase].”
Syrian government forces continue their offensive in the Aleppo province in the north of the country.
Over the weekend, the Syrian army supported by popular forces advanced in the area, leaving dozens of the militants dead or wounded.
In October 2015, the Syrian army, with support of Russian aircraft deployed in Syria at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad, started a military operation, trying to free territories controlled by the Islamic State and the Nusra Front militants.

Turkey won’t allow US to use its bases against ISIL: Official

September 11, 2014 by administrator

File photo shows Incirlik Air Base in Turkey.

Turkish government says it will not allow a US-led military coalition to use its air bases in order to launch attacks on ISIL terrorists’ hideouts in neighboring Iraq and Syria. Report presstv.com

A government official said Ankara can open the Incirlik Air Base in the south only for logistical and humanitarian operations, and not for any airstrikes.

“Turkey will not be involved in any armed operation but will entirely concentrate on humanitarian operations,” media outlets quoted the unnamed official as saying.

Turkey is reluctant to take a stronger role in the coalition against ISIL militants in fear of aggravating a hostage situation.

ISIL militants have held hostage 49 Turkish nationals, including diplomats and children, since June. They were abducted from the Turkish consulate in Mosul.

“Our hands and arms are tied because of the hostages,” the official noted.

Back in 2003, Turkey refused to let Washington put US boots in the country to invade Iraq from the north. This triggered a crisis between the two allies at the time.

The latest developments come as US and European officials have voiced concern that militants in Syria and Iraq may bite the hand that feeds them.

The brutal beheadings of American journalists by ISIL are the latest and most shocking example of foreign militants threatening western interests.

This is while the United States has been actively funding and training the militants to fight the Syrian government.

The West and its regional allies including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are giving financial and military support to the militants.

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