22-11-2024 02:28 AM Jerusalem Timing

Turkish PM Says Ground Operations against ISIL Possible

Turkish PM Says Ground Operations against ISIL Possible

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu gave on Tuesday a signal for possible ground forces against the so-called ’Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) takfiri group.

Turkish PMTurkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu gave on Tuesday a signal for possible ground forces against the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) takfiri group.

“[Sending] Ground forces is something we have to talk together [with coalition forces].  There is a need of an integrated strategy, including an air campaign and ground troops. But Turkey, alone, cannot take all this burden. If there is a collation and a very well-designed integrated strategy, Turkey is ready to take part in these efforts in all sense,” Davutoglu said in an interview with CNN international's Christianne Amanpour.

Stating that Turkey has already been conducting aerial attacks targeting ISIL positions as part of the coalition, Davutoğlu said: “But, it is not enough.”

In regards to the Russian plane crash in Egypt, Davutoglu expressed that this was a crime not just against Russia but also to humanity, saying that this as an "attack not just to Russia, but to all of us".

Moreover, the Turkish PM linked the refugees' crisis to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying that if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stays in power, "I don't think any refugee will go back."

Most of the 744,000 migrants who have arrived in Europe by sea this year are from Syria, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency.