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Turkey may no longer be a bystander in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). On Tuesday, the Turkish government sought a mandate from Parliament to expand cross-border military operations into Iraq and Syria. This week Parliament will vote on whether or not to authorize it, as Turkish soldiers and tanks position themselves along the border with Syria.
It’s not clear whether Turkey would immediately send in ground troops or conduct airstrikes over Syria. However, even though Parliament is likely to approve the mandate, the government will most likely not authorize ground troops without an internationally backed no-fly zone in northern Syria. The White House is said to be considering a no-fly zone.
Until now, Turkey has had a less active military role against ISIS. Given it shares a 560-mile border with Syria, Turkey has to put more focus on ISIS controlling border points. Since ISIS besieged Kobani last week, more than 160,000 Kurdish refugees have poured into the country, according the semiofficial Anadolu News Agency. Kobani is a Syrian border town, and Turkey can’t ignore the fact ISIS fighters are at its front door steps.
Turkish leaders have already shown support in the United States-led operations against the militant group, but the push for this mandate is the first proactive military move. Should Parliament authorize Turkish troops on the ground? If it comes to the no-fly zone, should the U.S. back a no-fly zone in northern Syria? What else can the U.S. and other NATO members do to eliminate Turkey’s hesitation with combat force?
It’s not clear whether Turkey would immediately send in ground troops or conduct airstrikes over Syria. However, even though Parliament is likely to approve the mandate, the government will most likely not authorize ground troops without an internationally backed no-fly zone in northern Syria. The White House is said to be considering a no-fly zone.
Until now, Turkey has had a less active military role against ISIS. Given it shares a 560-mile border with Syria, Turkey has to put more focus on ISIS controlling border points. Since ISIS besieged Kobani last week, more than 160,000 Kurdish refugees have poured into the country, according the semiofficial Anadolu News Agency. Kobani is a Syrian border town, and Turkey can’t ignore the fact ISIS fighters are at its front door steps.
Turkish leaders have already shown support in the United States-led operations against the militant group, but the push for this mandate is the first proactive military move. Should Parliament authorize Turkish troops on the ground? If it comes to the no-fly zone, should the U.S. back a no-fly zone in northern Syria? What else can the U.S. and other NATO members do to eliminate Turkey’s hesitation with combat force?
Posted in these groups: 
ISIS
ISIS
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 12
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Let's bomb Iraq with shredded bbq pork and nudie pics. Then crop dust with ever clear
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SGT Wayne Gains
Bush admits that Iraq Had Nothing To Do With 9/11
Bush admits there were no weapons of mass destructions in Iraq and that Iraq had no ties with Al Qaida.
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Sgt Packy Flickinger
Iraq didn't directly support 9/11 however they did give safe harbor to its terrorists. Iraq did have WMD's. He used them! Also early Intel suggested he gave the rest to Syria to hide when we attacked. Guess what. Syria used them! I was briefed in the 90's on Osama and the terrorists. What is told to the people and what is factual doesn't always agree. Also, presidents quite frequently send in troops for humanitarian needs. Saddam was one of the biggest mass murderers on the planet. If we wernt justified in invading Iraq, why are we still there?! The reason is the same, only the name has changed.
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SGT Wayne Gains
wow what were you then Peabody an admiral. make it sound like you were personally briefed on Osama and the terrorists. you weren't the only one that was in the military in the 90s. I was also briefed on the red army faction and the baader-meinhof groupin the 70s doesn't make me john wayne. why are we still there because for some dumbass reason a moron decided he was going to make that area democratic so we stayed to build democracy. working really well from what I have seen so far.
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Sgt Packy Flickinger
Gee. Silly me. I thought it's about terrorists. You know ISIS, Al Qaeda, Bin laden, etc The guys killing Americans. That's what I was briefed on. That's what happened. And that's who's killing and terrorizing now. When I was briefed it was with most of the base and in hind site, the info was dead on. Maybe if some people wernt spending their time deflecting and blaming we might not be in the situation we are in now. But by all means, let's just forget about terrorism and concentrate and WMD's, oil and democracy.
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They need to get actively involved in the fight against ISIS despite releasing their hostages.
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Do we, the American people, really want Turkey to send troops into Syria? Does anyone remember any history?
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SSG Pete Fleming
MSG Brad Sand, I love history... and yes Turkey needs to go there. It is their backyard, not ours. They kept the Middle East peaceful during the Ottoman Empire, as long as they stay out of Europe and don't condone terrorism... I would support them. Especially if the would offer to pay for our support (at least the cost of missiles and bullets)
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CPT (Join to see)
At this point I think Turkish troops are the only ones who even have half a chance of deploying a credible ground force that could effectively combat ISIS. Their logistics trains wouldn't be nearly as long as the other interested Arab or NATO militaries also. I've been waiting for them to step in and I think it is long overdue.
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MSG Brad Sand
Here are my concerns with the Turkish involvement, they are not likely to support the Kurds (the fighters already on the ground with the most to lose with ISIS) or will actively oppose them. The Turks are primarily Sunni and bring more historical baggage into the mix. It is hard for Americans to understand the long standing fear and outright hatred between these competing groups. Sunni and Shia, and Kurds, Turks, Arab and Persian (plus a laundry list of other groups)? Yes, I think the Turkish troops could do an excellent job defending their boarders against ISIS fighters but will have a similar effect…to a much lesser degree…as bringing in Israeli troops. Most Americans are not even aware of the Turkish genocide against the Kurds (and their Armenian cousins), let alone the animosity between Shia and Sunni? American are cursed with a very short cultural memory. Of course, we will abandoned the Kurds AGAIN and arm those who will turn our weapons on us in a few months AGAIN and everyone will try to blame the other political party for not seeing the disaster they all joined in on but we need to put our trust in those who have faithfully stood beside us year after year. The Kurds deserve their own nation, made up of portions of Iraq, Iran and Turkey. (The Armenians also should have a bigger piece to the pie, but that is another issue.)
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