Turkey could let Russia use its Incirlik air base to fight Islamic State

NEW YORK, July 16. /TASS/. Turkey has halted US-led coalition aircraft from delivering air strikes on the Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria that are flying from the Incirlik air base in the country’s south, the New York Times online newspaper said on Saturday.

"At this time, Turkish authorities are not permitting aircraft to depart Incirlik," the daily cited an American military official as saying.

The newspaper says that Washington "was seeking an explanation for the decision."

On Friday, Pentagon officials assured that developments in Turkey would not affect the bombing missions against the Islamic State.

"The move may reflect a desire by Turkey to control its airspace for a time today, as opposed to any shift on its policy toward ISIS," the NYT said.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. embassy to Turkey issued a warning for the Americans staying in the country. "Be advised that local authorities are denying movements on to and off of Incirlik Air Base. The power there has also been cut. Please avoid the air base until normal operations have been restored," the emergency message says.

Earlier, Ankara had given green light for Air Forces of U.S., Germany, UK, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to use the Incirlik air base for "airstrikes missions."

Overnight to Saturday, a group of insurgents attempted a coup in Turkey. Bombs were dropped on the parliament building and the presidential palace in Ankara. The country’s leadership later said that the coup was quashed. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that the situation is under control of the official government.