Turkey has been one of the most steadfast opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is backed by Russia and Iran. Incirlik hosts aircraft of the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Qatar involved in the U.S.-led air campaign against Islamic State. While both Turkey and Russia recognise the threat of Islamic State, they are on opposing sides in the Syrian conflict, raising questions about the viability of Russian use of Incirlik. Turkey has proposed cooperating with Moscow to combat Islamic State in Syria, suggesting it could open its Incirlik Air Base to Russia - comments that highlighted a revival in ties strained by Turkey's shooting down of a Russian warplane last year. Moscow had broken off virtually all economic ties and banned tourists from visiting Turkish resorts.

Source: The Star July 04, 2016 09:11 UTC