Defense Ministry sources stated on Thursday that Türkiye anticipated motion from the U.S. aspect on counterterrorism and protection cooperation underneath the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Under outgoing President Joe Biden, Türkiye-U.S. ties hit new lows in two fields whereas flourishing in different areas. Ankara is especially upset over steady U.S. assist for the YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK, which is acknowledged as a terrorist group each by Washington and Ankara.
The PKK/YPG’s occupation in northeastern Syria and the PKK presence in northern Iraq fear Türkiye, which continuously carries out restricted cross-border operations to seek out terrorists. The PKK/YPG has grown stronger within the area, significantly in Deir el-Zour province, dwelling to Syria’s largest oil wells, because of materials assist from the U.S. The difficulty strains Turkish-U.S. ties as Ankara warns its NATO ally in opposition to aiding terror components that threaten its nationwide safety, one thing Washington continues to do regardless of promising to take away the group from the Turkish border space. The U.S. justifies its assist for the YPG as linked to the battle in opposition to Daesh, one other terrorist group.
Since Jan. 1, 2023, the terrorist group has carried out 560 assaults falling underneath Türkiye’s counterterrorism operations in Syria.
Sources stated the U.S. has determined to withdraw its troops from Syria up to now however didn’t do it. “Words have little meaning if they are not put into action,” sources stated. Despite Trump’s repeated calls to withdraw troops from Syria, the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) resisted the plan in Trump’s first tenure. Sources stated Türkiye anticipated “friends and allies” to chop support to the PKK/YPG and sincerely assist Türkiye’s counterterrorism efforts.
On supply of F-16 fighter jets by the U.S., sources stated the 2 nations had already signed contracts, and the method was “proceeding positively.” “Turkish-U.S. relations are based on common values and interests despite occasional problems. Our countries are two major members of NATO, the world’s leading security organization. We believe Turkish-U.S. relations will continue based on strategic partnership independent of U.S. election results,” sources stated.
Türkiye submitted the request to accumulate 40 new F-16 plane and 79 modernization kits in October 2021 to improve the jets in its present fleet. This January, the Biden administration formally knowledgeable Congress of its intention to proceed with the sale, estimated at round $23 billion, shortly after Ankara formally ratified Sweden’s membership in NATO.
Türkiye first sought to buy Lockheed Martin’s extra superior F-35 fighter jets, however the U.S. eliminated it from the multinational program to purchase and assist develop and construct the warplane in 2019 after it acquired S-400s from Russia. Washington argued that the air missile protection methods posed a danger to the superior fighter jet, whereas Ankara insisted they’d not be built-in into NATO methods. Türkiye had ordered about 100 F-35s, and its corporations had been constructing some 900 components of the fighter jet.
Türkiye’s request goals to switch the Air Forces Command’s growing older F-16 fleet within the stock, which might be phased out beginning within the 2030s.
The nation is without doubt one of the largest operators of F-16 jets, with its fleet comprising greater than 200 older Block 30/40/50 fashions.
Source: www.dailysabah.com