Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Turkish security forces kill six Kurdish PKK militants Press TV 30 Sep 2016 -- At least six Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants have been killed during fierce clashes with Turkish security forces in the country's northern province of Ordu.
• Turkish police raid prison, courthouses in post-coup probe Press TV 30 Sep 2016 -- Police in Turkey have raided the country's biggest prison and courthouses to arrest prison guards and employees deemed linked to the failed July coup in the country.
• Turkey might continue Syria incursion for years Press TV 30 Sep 2016 -- A senior Turkish official says Ankara's military incursion into Syria could last for years if necessary.
• Turkey Intensifies Anti-IS Campaign VOA 29 Sep 2016 -- In the month after a suicide bomber killed dozens of people attending a mostly Kurdish wedding in southeastern Turkey, the government has ramped up its military campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants, arresting 40 IS suspects in Istanbul and another two suspects in Sanliurfa, according to a Turkish official who spoke to VOA.
• Turkey now an unaccompanied, 12-month tour AFNS 29 Sep 2016 -- Air Force assignments to Turkey are now unaccompanied, 12-month tours, effective Sept. 21, Air Force officials said Sept. 29.
• Turkey's Erdogan signals post-coup emergency state extension Press TV 29 Sep 2016 -- Turkey's president has suggested the possibility of prolonging for over a year the three-month state of emergency declared following the abortive July 15 military coup, stressing that such a move would be beneficial for the country.
• Syria Kurds say Turkish airstrike kills 9 civilians Press TV 29 Sep 2016 -- Turkish forces have killed at least nine civilians in a Syrian border town as Ankara expands its military intervention in the Arab country.
• Ankara Shuts Down 12 TV Channels Including in Kurdish Sputnik 29 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish government has shut down 12 TV channels, including seven in Kurdish language, under the state of emergency imposed after the coup attempt in July, local media reported Thursday.
• Turkey says ready for work with Iran, Russia on Syria Press TV 29 Sep 2016 -- Turkey says it is "more than ready" to work with Russia and Iran on a Syrian ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-torn country.
• Turkey to finish construction of wall along Syria border in 5 months Press TV 28 Sep 2016 -- Turkish officials say the construction of a wall along the Syrian border that Ankara plans to use against illegal crossing will be completed in five months.
• '32,000 arrested in Turkey for Gulen links' Press TV 28 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish Justice Department says it has arrested 32,000 people for suspected links to opposition leader Fethullah Gulen, whose extradition from the US has been a top demand by Ankara and a major source of tensions with Washington.
• Not Enough Courtrooms in Turkey: 32,000 Coup Arrests Tax Country Infrastructure Sputnik 28 Sep 2016 -- On Wednesday, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said that Ankara will need to build more courthouses in the country to accommodate the 32,000 people arrested in connection with July's failed coup.
• US-Turkish Tensions Re-emerge VOA 28 Sep 2016 -- Turkish media reported diplomatic tensions dogged the now-concluded two-day visit to Ankara of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Islamic State.
• Ankara Needs Damascus' Consent to Conduct Military Op in Syria - Russian Envoy Sputnik 27 Sep 2016 -- Russia understands the reasons why Turkey has launched the Euphrates Shield military operation in Syria's north, but it should be carried out with Damascus' consent, Russian Ambassador to Ankara Andrey Karlov said Tuesday.
• Kurds' Participation in Raqqa Liberation to Put Syria's Future at Risk - Ankara Sputnik 27 Sep 2016 -- Engaging Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the liberation of the city of Raqqa from Daesh terrorists will put Syria's future in jeopardy, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday.
• Turkey Failed to Coordinate Syrian Operation With Russia, Iran Sputnik 27 Sep 2016 -- Turkey did not provide any assurances that its military operation in Syria would be coordinated with Russia and Iran, Syrian President Bashar Assad's adviser Bouthaina Shaaban said.
• Turkey sacks 87 people from spy agency Press TV 27 Sep 2016 -- Turkey has dismissed 87 staff members of the country's spy agency in its latest instance of purging government employees deemed linked to the failed July 15 coup.
• Bombing, violent clashes kill 10 troops in southeast Turkey Press TV 26 Sep 2016 -- A roadside bomb attack and violent clashes with militants have claimed lives of at least nine Turkish soldiers across Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast, security sources say.
• FM: Turkey may send troops deeper into Syria Press TV 26 Sep 2016 -- Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Turkey is planning to send troops deeper into Syrian territory to establish what it calls a safe zone.
• Kurdish Teachers' Arrests Heighten Concerns About Turkey's Emergency Rule VOA 26 Sep 2016 -- The arrests of 24 Kurdish teachers, accused of supporting the PKK Kurdish rebel group, has intensified criticism of the Turkish government's use of the emergency powers it introduced following July's failed coup.
• Kurdish Forces Retreating East of Euphrates River in Syria - Turkish Deputy PM Sputnik 26 Sep 2016 -- A major part of Syrian Kurdish troops is moving to the east of the Euphrates River. Ankara considers this change important for security in the region.
• Turkey willing to join battle for Syria's Raqqah, says Erdogan Press TV 25 Sep 2016 -- Turkey's president has claimed that Ankara is willing to join a battle for the liberation of the Syrian city of Raqqah from the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
• Turkish Army to Go Further in Syria Establishing 'De Facto Safe Zone' - FM Sputnik 25 Sep 2016 -- According to the Turkish foreign minister, the country's forces will move further in the Syrian territory to create a "de facto safe zone."
• Russia, Turkey Reach a 'Gentleman's Agreement' on Syrian Airspace Sputnik 25 Sep 2016 -- Turkey and Russia are currently in talks over a protocol to coordinate combat flights in the Syrian airspace to prevent incidents, a Turkish military source told Hurriyet Daily News.
• Erdogan Accuses US of Delivering Plane Loads of Arms to Kurds in Syria's Kobani Sputnik 23 Sep 2016 -- The United States has delivered more armaments to Kurds in the northern Syrian city of Kobani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
• Turkish army targets Syria after rocket attack blamed on Daesh Press TV 22 Sep 2016 -- Turkey has targeted Syrian border areas allegedly in response to a rocket attack on the southern Turkish border town of Kilis, which was blamed on the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group.
• Turkey Exerts New Influence in Syria VOA 22 Sep 2016 -- More than five years of relentless war have fragmented Syria like a jigsaw puzzle. The task of reassembling the pieces increasingly seems to rest not with Western policymakers, Gulf princes or Iranian ayatollahs but with Russia and now Turkey, some diplomatic observers say.
• Two opposition Turkish journalists stand trial over alleged links to Gulen Press TV 21 Sep 2016 -- Two prominent Turkish journalists have been put on trial on suspicion of aiding US-based opposition cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for a recent failed military coup against the Ankara government.
• Fear Grows in Turkey as Crackdown on Gulen Followers Continues VOA 21 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish authorities are continuing their crackdown on followers of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is being blamed for a failed military coup attempt. With tens of thousands of people arrested, opposition parties are starting to voice concern that the crackdown is turning into a witch hunt.
• Turkey Braces for Possible Spike in Ethnic Tensions VOA 20 Sep 2016 -- Fears are growing in Turkey about rising ethnic tensions between Turks and Kurds. The country is in the midst of a wave of Turkish nationalism in the aftermath of July's failed coup, at the same time Kurdish rebels of the PKK stepped up their military campaign for autonomy.
• Turkey axes 28,000 teachers despite severe educational staff shortages Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Turkey has fired some 28,000 teachers and suspended a further 9,500 over terrorism links in the aftermath of a failed July coup.
• Two Turkish troopers killed during Syria operation Press TV 20 Sep 2016 -- Two Turkish forces have lost their lives during an incursion into Syria which Ankara says targets Daesh terrorists and Kurdish militants operating in the violence-wracked Arab country.
• Turkish Foreign Ministry Undergoes Major Reshuffle Changing 16 Ambassadors Sputnik 20 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry has undergone a major reshuffle with 16 of its ambassadors to other countries and international organizations recalled, swapped and otherwise changed, a decree published on Tuesday said.
• Turkey Plans to Liberate More Cities, Create Safe Zones in Northern Syria Sputnik 20 Sep 2016 -- Ankara plans to clean the northern Syrian cities of Manbij and al-Bab from Daesh militants soon and create safe zones there, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday.
• Turkey military pushing south after bombing northern Syria Press TV 19 Sep 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey-backed militants would seek to capture more areas in northern Syria by pushing further south.
• Erdogan Reveals Why Turkish Forces Had to Save US Commandos From Syrian Rebels Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- The head of the Turkish state explained that US soldiers' attitude toward Syrian opposition triggered the rift.
• Erdogan: Turkish Forces Continue Southerly Advance in N Syria Sputnik 19 Sep 2016 -- Turkish armed forces continue their advance in the southern direction in northern Syria as the military campaign to clear militants and Kurdish fighters from the area continues, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
• Fresh clashes kill 3 Turkish troops, 4 PKK militants in restive southeast Press TV 17 Sep 2016 -- At least three Turkish soldiers and four members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group have been killed during fresh clashes in the restive southeastern part of the country.
• Turkey Removes Military Units From City Centers Following Coup Attempt Sputnik 17 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish authorities have finished removal of military units from Ankara's and Istanbul's city centers as a precautionary measure in the aftermath of the July's failed coup attempt, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Friday.
• Dunford Discusses ISIL With Turkish Counterpart Ahead of NATO Meeting AFPS 16 Sep 2016 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met today with his Turkish counterpart on efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ahead of a NATO Military Committee conference here tomorrow.
• Police forces kill five PKK militants in southeastern Turkey Press TV 16 Sep 2016 -- At least five members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been killed after Turkish security forces carried out two separate counter-terrorism operations against the Kurdish militants in the country's southeastern province of Hakkari.
• Aerial assaults kill 16 suspected PKK militants in SE Turkey Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- Fresh airstrikes conducted by the Turkish army on the country's restive southeast have claimed the lives of 16 suspected Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants.
• US ambassador not a Turkish governor: Cavusoglu Press TV 14 Sep 2016 -- Turkey's foreign minister has censured the latest remarks by the US ambassador to Ankara concerning suspension of dozens of mayors over alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), arguing that he is not in charge as a governor in Turkey.
• Turkey asks US to detain Gulen for 'ordering' July coup Press TV 13 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish government has sent an official request to the United States demanding the arrest of Pennsylvania-based opposition figure Fethullah Gulen on charges of "ordering" the failed July 15 coup d'état in Turkey.
• PKK leader 'calls for end to no-win war' with Turkey Press TV 13 Sep 2016 -- The imprisoned leader of a separatist Kurdish militant group in Turkey has reportedly invited the Turkish government back to the negotiating table.
• US Unlikely to 'Speed Up' Gulen's Extradition to Turkey VOA 13 Sep 2016 -- Turkey has formally requested that the U.S. government extradite Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen from the state of Pennsylvania where he has lived in self-imposed exile for 17 years. Ankara has accused Gulen and his followers – known as the Hizmet movement – of orchestrating a failed July 15 coup attempt that left more than 270 dead and thousands wounded. Gulen denies any role in the coup attempt.
• Army chief: Turkey's military operations in Syria will continue Press TV 12 Sep 2016 -- Turkey's top military commander says an ongoing offensive in northern Syrian will continue until southern borders are secured and Turkish forces mop "all terrorists" out of the region.
• Explosion hits Turkish town of Van, wounding 48 Press TV 12 Sep 2016 -- At least 48 people have been wounded in Turkey in a car bomb explosion targeting the provincial offices of the ruling AK Party in the country's eastern city of Van.
• Mayors Removed as Turkish Crackdown Intensifies VOA 12 Sep 2016 -- Turkey's crackdown on the outlawed Kurdish rebel group the PKK is increasingly targeting the country's legal pro-Kurdish movement. On Sunday, 24 elected mayors of the main pro-Kurdish party, the HDP, were removed from office and replaced by government appointees called "trustees."
• Turkey axes 28 mayors over suspected 'PKK links' Press TV 11 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish government has fired more than two dozen local mayors in the mainly Kurdish-populated southeast of the country over suspected links to a banned pro-Kurdish militant group.
• PKK Trying to Disrupt Turkey's Anti-Terrorist Operation in N Syria - Erdogan Sputnik 11 Sep 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), outlawed by Ankara, of trying to disrupt prevent Turkey's operation in northern Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.
• Protesters Clash With Police in Turkey Over Removal of Mayors VOA 11 Sep 2016 -- Clashes between police and protesters erupted in southeastern Turkey after a government announcement that it had replaced 28 elected municipal and district mayors in several predominantly Kurdish towns.
• Turkey thwarts graveside bomb plot against top AKP official Press TV 10 Sep 2016 -- Turkish officials say they have thwarted an assassination attempt against the deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) party.
• Turkish police clash with protesters over sacking 11,500 teachers Press TV 10 Sep 2016 -- Turkish police have clashed with demonstrators protesting the dismissal of 11,500 teachers suspected of links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group in the southeast of the country.
• Secretary General: Turkey is a strong and valued member of our Alliance NATO 09 Sep 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commended Turkey for its contributions to the Alliance and to the international fight against terrorism in a visit to Ankara on Friday (9 September 2016).
• UN food relief agency and partner to roll out €348 million EU cash aid to refugees in Turkey UN News 08 Sep 2016 -- Following the European Union's (EU)announcement today of a cash-transfer programme for the most vulnerable refugees in Turkey, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has said the agency and the Turkish Red Crescent will use their combined expertise to deliver the cash directly to those who need it most.
• Kurdish Fighters Blame Turkey for Deadly Border Attack VOA 08 Sep 2016 -- Six Syrian Kurdish fighters were killed and a dozen were wounded as Turkish military artillery fired across the border Thursday into Syria, Kurdish officials and rights activists said.
• Readout of Secretary Carter's Meeting with Turkish Minister of National Defense Fikri Isik DoD 08 Sep 2016
• Turkey detains dozens, issues warrants over links to alleged coup plotter Gulen Press TV 08 Sep 2016 -- Turkey has detained dozens of businessmen and academics and issued arrest warrants for some 50 military officers over suspected links to US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for a recent abortive coup.
• Over 10,000 teachers suspended in Turkey over 'PKK links' Press TV 08 Sep 2016 -- Turkey has reportedly suspended more than 10,000 teachers over suspected links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group following a similar crackdown on education staff in the wake of an abortive coup.
• Turkey permits German MPs to visit Incirlik Air Base: Berlin Press TV 08 Sep 2016 -- Germany says its lawmakers have been allowed to visit Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey after being refused access to the site amid a months-long row between the two NATO member states.
• Turkey Arrests More Generals, Businessmen as Post-Coup Crackdown Continues VOA 08 Sep 2016 -- Turkish authorities on Thursday issued warrants for six generals and several other military officials, as well as 16 businessmen in connection with the July failed coup attempt, state-run media reported.
• Turkey May Be Limited in Helping to Drive IS From Raqqa VOA 07 Sep 2016 -- While Turkey's president says Ankara and Washington are discussing joint military action in Raqqa, the Syrian headquarters of the Islamic State group, Turkey's options may be limited.
• Over 100 Terrorists Killed During Ankara's Operation in Northern Syria Sputnik 07 Sep 2016 -- Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said that more than 100 terrorists were killed since the beginning of the Euphrates Shield military operation in northern Syria, while five Turkish soldiers died and 19 more sustained injuries during the operation.
• Turkey expels 73 more military personnel over coup Press TV 07 Sep 2016 -- Turkey has expelled dozens of new officers and soldiers as part of its crackdown on plotters and sympathizers of the July 15 coup attempt.
• Turkey Ready to Join US in Liberating Raqqa VOA 07 Sep 2016 -- Turkey would be ready to join any future operation proposed by the United States to liberate the Syrian city of Raqqa from Islamic State, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Turkey's actions could complicate situation in Syria: Russia Press TV 07 Sep 2016 -- Russia has voiced deep concerns over the advances made by Turkish troops in Syrian territory, warning that such actions could make the conflict gripping the Arab country more complicated.
• Turkish, Moderate Syrian Forces Close Major ISIL Route AFPS 06 Sep 2016 -- Turkish and moderate Syrian opposition forces last night closed northern Syria's Jarabulus gap in a significant development in the counter- Islamic State of Iraq and The Levant campaign by cutting off ISIL access to a route between Manbij and Jarabulus, Defense Department Press Operations Director Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters today.
• Two Turkish soldiers killed in Daesh attack in N Syria Press TV 06 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish military says two of its troopers have been killed and five others injured in an attack by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in northern Syria.
• Germany to Invest $65Mln to Build Infrastructure in Turkey's Incirlik Airbase Sputnik 06 Sep 2016 -- The German defense ministry has allocated a total of 58 million euros ($65 million) to build infrastructure to support German forces stationed at the Turkish Incirlik airbase which is used to conduct missions against the Daesh terrorist group, German media reported.
• PKK commanders killed in Turkish airstrike in northern Iraq Press TV 05 Sep 2016 -- Turkey says it has killed 30 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants during airstrikes in northern Iraq.
• Two soldiers killed in clashes with PKK in SE Turkey Press TV 05 Sep 2016 -- At least two Turkish soldiers have been killed in fresh clashes with militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the country's volatile southeast.
• Over 60 Miles of Turkish-Syrian Border Retaken From Daesh Sputnik 05 Sep 2016 -- Daesh terrorist group had been forced out from territory along 98 kilometers (some 61 miles) of the Turkish-Syrian border.
• Turkey pushes plan for establishing no-fly zone in Syria Press TV 05 Sep 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeated his previous call for establishing a no-fly zone in Syria, saying it would be needed to stop the flow of Syrian refugees into Turkey and other places.
• Remarks by President Obama and President Erdogan of Turkey After Bilateral Meeting at G20 Summit The White House 04 Sep 2016
• Obama Tells Erdogan Important To Secure Border With Syria RFE/RL 04 Sep 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has told Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that it's critical to "finish the job" of securing Turkey's border with Syria.
• Turkey Says Syrian Border Completely Cleared Of IS RFE/RL 04 Sep 2016 -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says his country's forces and Syrian rebels have expelled the extremist group Islamic State (IS) from the last areas of the Syrian-Turkish border under its control.
• Turkey says Islamic State Cleared from Syrian Border Region VOA 04 Sep 2016 -- Turkey says Turkish-backed rebels battling Islamic State extremists on the Syrian border have driven IS fighters from their last remaining strongholds along a 100-kilometer stretch of borderland.
• Putin: A lot must be done before ties with Turkey fully normalized ISNA 04 Sep 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said a lot of ground must be covered until relations between Moscow and Ankara are fully healed.
• Turkish PM says Daesh purged from border with Syria Press TV 04 Sep 2016 -- Turkey says Daesh has been pushed out of their last positions on the Turkish-Syrian border.
• Turkey will never allow artificial state in northern Syria: Yildirim Press TV 04 Sep 2016 -- Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says Turkey will never allow the formation of an "artificial state" of Kurdish militants near its border in northern Syria.
• Turkish warplanes bomb PKK positions Press TV 04 Sep 2016 -- Turkish warplanes have conducted fresh airstrikes against the positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group in the east and south.
• Obama says US to help Turkey bring coup plotters to justice Press TV 04 Sep 2016 -- US President Barack Obama says his administration will help Turkey bring to justice those who attempted to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• US Assures Turkey of Effort to Find Perpetrators of Failed Coup VOA 04 Sep 2016 -- U.S. President Barack Obama assured Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday that Washington is committed to bring the perpetrators of the failed July coup against his government to justice, but stopped short of saying the U.S. would extradite the Muslim cleric that Ankara blames.
• In meeting with Turkey's President, UN chief stresses country's key role in fighting ISIL UN News 03 Sep 2016 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today met with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasizing the key role of Turkey in the fight against Da'esh (ISIL), Mr. Ban's office said.
• Over 100 PKK militants killed or injured in clashes with Turkish security forces Press TV 03 Sep 2016 -- More than 100 members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group have been killed or wounded in clashes with Turkish army forces in the restive southeastern part of the country.
• More Turkish tanks cross into northern Syria: Report Press TV 03 Sep 2016 -- Turkish tanks have crossed into northern Syria from Kilis province in a new phase of operation against Kurdish-led forces.
• Nearly dozen Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with PKK militants Press TV 03 Sep 2016 -- Nearly a dozen Turkish soldiers have been killed during separate clean-up operations against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in Turkey's restive eastern provinces of Mardin and Van.
• Turkish Forces Open New Front in Syria, Enter Aleppo Province Sputnik 03 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish military opened a new front in its Euphrates Shield operation in neighboring Syria.
• More Turkish Tanks Roll Into Syria to Support Anti-IS Rebels VOA 03 Sep 2016 -- Turkey has sent more tanks into the northern Syrian village of al-Rai from Kilis province to support Syrian rebels fight Islamic State, Turkish media reported.
• Turkish army airstrike, soldiers kill 20 Kurdish PKK militants Press TV 02 Sep 2016 -- Nearly two dozen members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group have been killed after Turkish military aircraft and army soldiers carried out a string of counter-terrorism operations against the militants in Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari.
• Iran urges 'swift pullout' of Turkish forces from Syria Press TV 02 Sep 2016 -- Iran has once again expressed concern over the continuation of Turkey's military incursion into Syria, urging all countries to respect the Arab country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• After Turkey's Syria Incursions, Questions Grow Over Exit Strategy VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- A week after Turkey's military launched an incursion into northern Syria, observers at home and abroad are wondering when it will end. But the stated objective of operation "Euphrates Shield" – to remove "terrorists" from the Turkish border – is vague, prompting growing speculation over Ankara's long term intentions.
• US Air Force Denies Reports of Not Providing Help to Turkey in Anti-Daesh Fight Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- The US-led coalition against Daesh provided the necessary support to Turkish forces in the attack on the terrorist group in Syria's city of Jarablus, US Air Forces Central Command spokeswoman Kiley Dougherty told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Erdogan says post-coup crackdown boosts judiciary Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended Ankara's massive post-coup crackdown on thousands of judges and prosecutors, saying the measure will bolster the country's judiciary.
• Turkish interior minister resigns after attacks, coup attempt Press TV 01 Sep 2016 -- Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala has quit his post in the wake of apparent intelligence failures and public criticism over a string of militant attacks as well as the failed July 15 coup attempt.
• Turkey Destroys Total of 262 Targets During Syria Military Operation Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- The Turkish army has hit 262 targets since its Euphrates Shield military operation began in northern Syria nine days ago, the Turkish General Staff said Thursday.
• Turkey's Ground Offensive in Syria Caught Washington 'Off Guard' Sputnik 01 Sep 2016 -- Turkish leadership said that the ground offensive in northern Syria was carried out in coordination with the US-led anti-Daesh coalition but Ankara appears to have launched the military campaign, dubbed Operation Euphrates Shield, without giving Washington a heads up.
• Turkey Denies Ceasefire, Vows to Continue Offensive in Northern Syria VOA 01 Sep 2016 -- Turkey on Wednesday denied U.S. claims that it agreed to a ceasefire with Kurdish fighters and says it will not stop its military offensive in northern Syria until all threats are removed.