Turkey: Russia can use Incirlik airbase if necessary

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim speaks during a meeting with foreign media representatives in Istanbul, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. Yildirim says his country is willing to accept a role for Syrian President Bashar Assad during a transitional period in Syria. (Prime Minister Press Service via AP)

Ankara wouldn’t mind it if Russia used the Incirlik airbase for its anti-terror missions against Islamic State terrorists in Syria, Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim hinted on August 20, but acknowledged that no such requests have been made.

“Turkey opened Incirlik airbase to fight Daesh terrorists. It is being used by the US and Qatar. Other nations might also wish to use the airbase, which the Germans are also now using,” Yildirim told reporters on Saturday, Anadolu News Agency reported.

“If necessary, the Incirlik base can be used,” the PM said when asked if Moscow could share the airfield as well. At the same time, he firmly denied recent media reports claiming that Moscow has been pressuring Turkey to lease Incirlik to the Russian air force, saying “this information is not correct.”