The Seattle Times · Jul 25, 2015
Turkey couples IS bombing runs with striking Kurdish targets
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks to the media in Ankara, Turkey, Saturday, July 25, 2015, about latest airstrikes against Islamic State group forces and Kurdish rebel bases. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s sudden willingness to join the fight against the Islamic State group is a sign that it’s afraid of losing clout with the U.S., but its second front against Kurdish rebels in Iraq on Saturday could complicate Washington’s war.
For months, Ankara had been reluctant to join the U.S.-led coalition against IS despite gains made by the extremist group on Turkey’s doorstep.