Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war: Difference between revisions

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	{{about\|\|the incursion of Turkey's military into Syria that began in August 2016\|Turkish military intervention in Syria}}
	{{Infobox military conflict
	\|conflict = Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War
	\| width = 460px
	\|partof = the ]
	\|image=]
	\|caption = Turkey (Orange) and Syria (Green)
	\|date ={{Start date\|df=yes\|2011\|12\|05}}–present<br>({{Age in years, months, weeks and days\|month=12\|day=05\|year=2011}})
	\|place = ]
	\|territory =
	\|result =
	\|status = Ongoing<ref name=dead-end/>
	* Turkey experiences clashes between Syrian border troops, ISIL militants and SDF.
	* Turkish aid to the Syrian Opposition, and protection to ].
	* Turkey-Russia tensions rise as Turkey ] a Russian fighter jet and Turkmen rebels down a Russian helicopter.
	* Syrian government forces capture most of the ] with Russian military aid.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://test.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-seizes-34-of-turkmen-mountains-in-northern-latakia/\|title=Syrian Army seizes 3/4 of Turkmen Mountains in northern Latakia\|author=Leith Fadel\|date=28 January 2016\|work=Al-Masdar News\|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://eldorar.com/node/94276\|title=الدويلة العلوية قادمة بعد استكمال النظام السيطرة على ريف اللاذقية\|work=الدرر الشامية\|accessdate=15 February 2016}}</ref>
	* Normalisation of Russia-Turkey relations, following President Erdogan expressing regret to Vladimir Putin for the Su-24 shoot-down and apologizing to the pilot's family.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite web\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/turkey-apologizes-for-shooting-down-russian-warplane-last-year/2016/06/27/d969e0ea-3c6d-11e6-9e16-4cf01a41decb_story.html\|title=Turkish president apologizes for downing of Russian warplane last year\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\| url=http://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2016/06/28/kremlin-replaces-apology-with-excuse-us-on-statement-regarding-erdogans-letter \|title=Kremlin replaces 'apology' with 'excuse us' on statement regarding Erdoğan's letter\| newspaper=] \| date=28 June 2016}}</ref>
	* Turkish recognition of Bashar Al-Asad in part of the political solution to the conflict.<ref></ref>
	* ] directed at Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as well as against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
	\|combatant1 = {{flagicon\|Turkey}} ''']'''
	* {{flagicon image\|MHP logo Turkey.png\|border=no}} ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/02/turkey-syria-grey-wolves-emerge-as-jihadists.html\|title=Turkey’s nationalist 'Gray Wolves' enter Syrian fray\|date=3 February 2016\|publisher=}}</ref>
	{{flagicon\|Syrian opposition}} ] (from 2011)
	* {{flagicon image\|Flag of Syrian Turkmens (variant 2).svg}} ] (from 2012)
	----
	{{flagicon image\|Emblem of the Jaish al-Fatah.svg\|border=no}} ] (from 2015)
	* ] ]
	* {{flagicon image\|Logo of Ahrar al-Sham.svg}} ] (from 2011)
	* {{flagicon image\|Flag of Turkistan Islamic Party.svg}} ] (from 2011)
	\|combatant2 = {{flagicon\|ISIL}} ''']'''
	\|combatant3 = {{flagicon\|Syria}} ''']'''<br>{{flag\|Russia}}
	\|combatant4 = {{flagicon image\|Flag_of_Syrian_Kurdistan.svg}} ''']'''
	* ] (HXP)
	* {{flagicon image\|Flag of Syrian Democratic Forces.svg}} ] (SDF)
	** {{flagicon image\|People's Protection Units Flag.svg\|border=}} ] (YPG)
	** {{flagicon image\|YPJ_Flag.svg\|border=}} ] (YPJ)
	** {{flagicon image\|Flag of Assyria.svg}} ] (MFS)
	** {{flagicon image\|Flag of Jaysh al-Thuwar.svg}} ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2016/02/syria-jaysh-thuwar-mission-accusations-links-immunity.html\|title=Why Jaish al-Thuwar was bombarded by Turkey\|date=18 February 2016\|work=Al-Monitor}}</ref>
	** ]
	\|commander1 = {{flagicon\|Turkey}} ''']'''<br>{{flagicon\|Turkey}} ]<br>{{flagicon\|Turkey}} ]<br>{{flagicon image\|Flag of Syrian Turkmens (variant 2).svg}} ]<br>{{flagicon image\|Flag of Syrian Turkmens (variant 2).svg}} Ömer Abdullah<br>{{flagicon image\|Flag of Syrian Turkmens (variant 2).svg}}{{flagicon image\|MHP logo Turkey.png\|border=no}} ]<br>{{flagdeco\|Syria\|1932}} ]
	\|commander2 = {{flagicon\|ISIL}} ''']'''<br>{{flagicon\|ISIL}} ]{{KIA}}<br>{{flagicon\|ISIL}} ]{{KIA}}
	\|commander3 = {{flagicon\|Syria}} ''']'''<br>{{flagicon\|Syria}} ]<br>{{flagicon\|Syria}} ]
	\|commander4 = {{flagicon image\|Flag_of_Syrian_Kurdistan.svg}} ''']'''<ref name=recognition>{{cite web\|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish-pyd-declares-federalism-northern-syria-1311505605\|title=Syrian Kurds declare new federation in bid for recognition\|work=Middle East Eye\|date=17 March 2016}}</ref><br>
	{{flagicon image\|Flag_of_Syrian_Kurdistan.svg}} ''']'''<ref name=recognition/><br>
	{{flagicon image\|Flag of Syrian Democratic Forces.svg}} Adnan Abu Amjad<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.heraldnet.com/news/turkey-calls-on-us-allies-to-reconsider-syria-no-fly-zone/\|title= Turkey calls on US, allies to reconsider Syria no-fly zone\|work=AP\|date=21 November 2016}}</ref> <small>(Manbij Military Council & Northern Sun Battalion commander)</small><br>
	{{flagicon image\|Flag of Syrian Democratic Forces.svg}}{{flagicon image\|Avalanche-risk-1-2.svg}} Anwar Khabat<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://twitter.com/sayed_ridha/status/782488421063274496\|title=Hassan Ridha on Twitter\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref> <small>(Euphrates Liberation Brigade commander)</small>
	\|strength1 = 685.862 military personnel, 668 aircraft
	\|strength2 = 31,500 - 100,000
	\|strength3 = 178,000 military personnel, 320 aircraft
	\|casualties1 = '''Turkey''':<br>2 pilots killed<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/201274122120638820.html \|title=Turkey locates bodies of downed jet pilots \|publisher=Aljazeera.com \|date= \|accessdate=2013-08-30}}</ref><br>34 ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/syrian-crisis/2016/12/07/one-turkish-soldier-killed-5-injured-in-daesh-car-bomb-attack-near-syrias-al-bab\|title=One Turkish soldier killed, 5 injured in Daesh car bomb attack near Syria’s al-Bab\|publisher=}}</ref><br> 2 soldiers missing<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-french-fm-calls-summit-aleppo-fighting-43839128\|title=The Latest: Turkey Says 2 Soldiers Missing in Syria\|first=ABC\|last=News\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><br>1 ] shot down<br><ref name="uk.reuters.com">{{cite web\|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-turkey-syria-idUKKCN0WA1J3\|title=Two killed as rockets from Syria hit southern Turkish town - mayor\|first=Reuters\|last=Editorial\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto13">{{cite web\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-syria-idUSKCN0XL09C\|title=One dead, 26 wounded as rockets hit Turkish town near Syrian border\|date=24 April 2017\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016\|via=Reuters}}</ref><br>
	'''Rebels''': 282–321 killed<ref>3 killed (26 Aug.), 11 killed,(4 Sep.), 2 killed (6 Sep.), 5 killed (17 Sep.), 2 killed (18 Sep.), 21 killed (3 Oct.), 1 killed (4 Oct.), 2 killed (5 Oct.), 29 killed (6 Oct.), 13 killed (7 Oct.), 2 killed (8 Oct.), 30 killed (9–11 Oct.), 21–38 killed (13 Oct.), 9 killed (15 Oct.), 3 killed (19 Oct.), 20–25 killed (20–22 Oct.; against SDF), 7 killed (22 Oct.; against ISIL), 5 killed (24 Oct.), 15 killed (25–26 Oct.), 8 killed (28 Oct.), 3 killed (29 Oct.), 6 killed (31 Oct.), 3 killed (2 Nov.), 5 killed (5 Nov.), 1 killed (6 Nov.), 4 killed (7 Nov.), 2 killed (9 Nov.), 4 killed (10 Nov.), 8 killed (11 Nov.), 5 killed (12 Nov.), 2 killed (13 Nov.), 9 killed (14 Nov.), 2 killed (15 Nov.), 2 killed (16 Nov.), 11–28 killed (18 Nov.), 2 killed (19 Nov.), 1 killed (20 Nov.), 4 killed (24 Nov.), total of 282–321 reported killed</ref>

	\|casualties2 = 3,736 killed,<ref name="over300">{{cite web\|url=https://twitter.com/EuphratesShield/status/793879032848846848\|title=EuphratesShield on Twitter\|publisher=\|accessdate=9 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="20terorist">{{cite web\|url=http://aa.com.tr/tr/gunun-basliklari/tsk-20-terorist-etkisiz-hale-getirildi/688758\|title=TSK: 20 terörist etkisiz hale getirildi\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://haberturk.com/gundem/haber/1329622-firat-kalkaninda-4-deasli-olduruldu\|title=Fırat Kalkanı Operasyonu kapsamında 4 DEAŞ'lı öldürüldü - Gündem Haberleri\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://aa.com.tr/tr/gunun-basliklari/deasin-barinma-yerleri-imha-edildi/695130\|title=DEAŞ'ın barınma yerleri imha edildi\|publisher=}}</ref> ({{small\|Turkish claim}})
	\|casualties3 = '''Syrian''':<br>1 pilot killed<ref name="dailymail.co.uk">{{cite web\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2423831/Syrian-helicopter-pilot-shot-Turkish-forces-beheaded-rebels.html\|title=Disturbing footage shows Syrian helicopter pilot who was 'shot down by\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><br>12 soldiers killed<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Oct-20/192145-turkish-retaliatory-fire-has-killed-12-syrian-soldiers--report.ashx#axzz29qs9x7Pc\|title=Turkish retaliatory fire has killed 12 Syrian soldiers -report\|date=20 October 2012\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><br>1 ] shot down <br>1 ] shot down <br>1 ] drone shot down<br />'''Russian:'''<br>2 servicemen killed<br>1 SU-24 shot down<br>1 CSAR helicopter shot down
	\|strength4 =
	\|casualties4 = 97+ killed, 8 captured ({{small\|SOHR claims}})<ref>4 killed (28 August), 6 killed (7 September), 22 killed (20–23 October), 6 killed (25 October), 9 killed (27 October), 2 killed (11 November), 1 killed (11 November), 3 killed (5 November), 1 killed (20 November), 10 killed (21 November), 6 killed (22 November), 1 killed (23 November), 6 killed (23 November), 1 killed (11 November), 7 killed (27 November), 4 killed (29 November), 2 killed (1 December), 3 killed (30 November), 1 killed (9 December), 2 killed (9 December)</ref>
	\| casualties5 = 8 Turkish civilians killed by SAA fire<ref></ref><ref name="uk.reuters.com"/><ref name="auto13"/><ref name="ynetnews1">{{cite web\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4288211,00.html \|title=Mortar from Syria kills 5 family members in Turkey\|publisher=Ynetnews\|date=3 October 2012 \|accessdate=14 November 2012}}</ref><br>
	253 civilians killed by ISIL attacks across Turkey<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thelocal.de/20160113/two-married-couples-among-istanbul-dead\|title=Ten German dead in Istanbul terror attack\|date=13 January 2016\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/istanbul-explosion-injuries-reported-as-tourist-shopping-area-hit-by-blast-in-turkish-city-a6940706.html\|title=Suicide bombing hits Istanbul shopping area popular with tourists\|date=19 March 2016\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/istanbul-airport-attack-toll-rises-to-45-as-child-dies\|title=Istanbul airport attack toll rises to 45 as child dies\|first=\|last=hermesauto\|date=2 July 2016\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nID=104226&NewsCatID=341\|title=Death toll rises to 57 in ISIL Gaziantep attack - LOCAL\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref></ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/suructa-olenlerin-sayisi-32ye-yukseldi,BNZ2kTA7dUG-D1jkN1S93w\|title=Suruç'ta ölenlerin sayısı 32'ye yükseldi\|date=21 July 2015\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96501&NewsCatID=429\|title=Does Turkey have to learn to live with terror? - SERKAN DEMİRTAŞ\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><br>106 Syrian civilians killed since the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/afp/2016/10/syria-conflict-turkey-toll.html\|title=Nearly 100 civilians dead in Turkey-backed Syria op: monitor\|publisher=\|accessdate=9 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://tr.hawarnews.com/turk-savas-ucaklari-minbici-vurdu-6-sivil-yaralandi/\|title=Türk savaş uçakları Minbic’i vurdu: 6 sivil katledildi - ANHA\|publisher=}}</ref><br>
	163 Syrian civilians killed by Turkish gendarmerie in 2016<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=56414\|title=165 Syrian citizens killed by the Turkish border guards and SOHR calls for Turkey to punish the responsible\|work=Syria HR\|date=6 December 2016}}</ref>
	}}
	{{Campaignbox Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War}}

	] relations with ] had been friendly over the previous decade, however after the outbreak of the ] Turkey condemned its President ] over the violent crackdown on protests in 2011 and requested his departure from office. Previously, after 1999 when ]'s father ] expelled Kurdish leader ], the relationship between Syria and Turkey warmed.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/sami-m-akgonul/syria-for-dummies-internal-actors-1_412586.html \|title=: Internal actors (1) \|publisher=Today's Zaman \|date= \|accessdate=2016-02-17}}</ref> In the beginning of the ], Turkey trained defectors of the ] on its territory, and in July 2011, a group of them announced the birth of the ], under the supervision of ].<ref name="manna">{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jun/22/syria-opposition-led-astray-by-violence \|title=Syria's opposition has been led astray by violence \|work=]\|date=22 June 2012 \|accessdate=24 October 2012 \|location=London \|first=Haytham \|last=Manna}}</ref> In October 2011, Turkey began sheltering the Free Syrian Army, offering the group a safe zone and a base of operations. Together with ] and ], Turkey has also provided the rebels with arms and other military equipment. Tensions between Syria and Turkey significantly worsened after Syrian forces ] a Turkish fighter jet in June 2012, and ] erupted in October 2012.<ref name="NYT Topic: Syria1">{{cite news \| url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/syria/index.html \| title=Syria News \| publisher=New York Times \| accessdate=2 August 2012 \| last=Mackey \| first=Robert}}</ref> On 24 August 2016, the Turkish armed forces began a declared ] into Syria pursuing as targets both ISIL and the Kurdish-aligned forces in Syria.

	Turkey also provided refuge for Syrian dissidents. Syrian opposition activists convened in Istanbul in May to discuss regime change,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110531-syria-middle-east-opposition-groups-turkey-assad-revolution-arab-spring\|title=Syrian dissidents convene in Turkey to discuss regime change\|agency=Agence France-Presse\|date=1 June 2011\|accessdate=20 October 2011\|work=]}}</ref> and Turkey hosts the head of the Free Syrian Army, Colonel ].<ref>{{cite news\|last=Karam\|first=Zeina\|title=Syrian dissident colonel takes refuge in Turkey\|work=The Guardian\|location=Beirut\|agency=]\|date=5 October 2011\|accessdate=20 October 2011\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/9880236}}</ref> Turkey has become increasingly hostile to the Assad government's policies and has encouraged reconciliation among dissident factions. Turkish President ] has been trying to "cultivate a favorable relationship with whatever government would take the place of Assad."<ref name="Dif releationship against Assad">{{cite web\|last=Epatko \|first=Larisa \|title=Syria and Turkey: A Complex Relationship \|url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/11/syria-and-turkey.html \|publisher=PBS NEWSHOUR \|accessdate=15 November 2012 \|date=November 15, 2012 <!-- at 2:30 PM EDT --> \|deadurl=yes \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20121116134611/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/11/syria-and-turkey.html \|archivedate=November 16, 2012 }}</ref> Beginning in May 2012, some Syrian opposition fighters began being armed and trained by the Turkish ].<ref>{{cite news \|last= Weiss \|first= Michael \|date= 22 May 2012 \|title= Syrian rebels say Turkey is arming and training them \|url= http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/michaelweiss/100159613/syrian-rebels-say-turkey-is-arming-and-training-them/\|publisher=The Telegraph\|accessdate=30 June 2012 \|location=London}}</ref>

	Turkey maintains a small enclave within Syria itself, the ] on the right bank of the Euphrates in Aleppo Province, near the village of Qarah Qawzak (Karakozak). The Tomb is guarded by a small permanent garrison of Turkish soldiers, who continue to rotate in from a battalion based at the Turkish border some {{convert\|25\|km\|mi}} away, even as the civil war unfolded around them.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/news-279187-turkish-soldiers-still-guard-sacred-tomb-in-syria.html\|title=Turkish soldiers still guard sacred tomb in Syria\|date=2 May 2012\|work=]\|accessdate=1 March 2013}}</ref> Up until ] in June 2012, the garrison numbered 15 men in total. Following the incident, the Turkish government doubled the number of soldiers stationed at the tomb to 30, while then-Prime Minister Erdoğan warned that "the tomb of Suleyman Shah and the land that surrounds it are Turkish territory. Any act of aggression against it would be an attack on our territory and NATO territory." An analyst have cited the tomb as a potential future flashpoint in Turkish-Syrian relations.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://english.nuqudy.com/Levant/Turkish_Enclaves_in-3478\|title=Turkish Enclaves in Syria are Newest Crisis Point\|last=al-Faisal\|first=Sophie\|date=4 October 2012\|publisher=Nuqudy\|accessdate=1 March 2013}} {{dead link\|date=November 2016}}</ref>

	== {{anchor\|Border clashes}} Turkey and Syria's government ==
	Numerous incidents along the ] have taken place during the ], straining the ] and resulting in dozens of civilians and military personnel killed.

	Following ] in 2012, Turkish Prime Minister ] changed the military's ] so that any Syrian element approaching the border would be deemed a threat and be treated as a military target.<ref name=r1609/>
	Turkey has bolstered its defenses and deployed additional troops on its border with Syria in mid to late September 2013, with convoys of military vehicles ferrying equipment and personnel and additional ]s set up.<ref name=r1609/>

	=== 2011 incidents ===
	{{See also\|December 2011 Syrian–Turkish border clash}}

	During the 5 December 2011, about 35 armed fighters tried to cross the border of Syria from Turkey, but were engaged by the Syrian border forces who were able to repel them back to Turkey. Once they were back on Turkish soil, the Turkish army allegedly picked them up in trucks and took care of the injured fighters. A further attempt happened during the night of 12 December, when 15 infiltrators tried again to cross the border. They were unsuccessful and two of them were killed by Syrian border patrols.

	=== 2012 incidents ===
	{{See also\|June 2012 interception of Turkish aircraft\|2012 Syrian–Turkish border clashes}}

	On 22 June 2012, Syrian air defenses ] a Turkish ] fighter jet,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/22/222135.html \|title=Turkey confirms Syria shot down F-4 military jet, search for pilots ongoing \|publisher=Al Arabiya \|date=22 June 2012 \|accessdate=6 July 2012}}</ref> and both pilots were killed.<ref>{{cite news \|title= Bodies of Turkish jet crew shot down by Syria found \|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18707069 \|publisher=BBC News \|date= 4 July 2012 \|accessdate=4 July 2012 }}</ref> The incident significantly raised tensions between the two countries.<ref name="NYT Topic: Syria2">{{cite news \| url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/syria/index.html \| title=Syria News \| publisher=New York Times \| accessdate=2 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Stack \|first=Liam \|title=Turkey Vows to Take Action After Downing of Jet by Syria \|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/world/middleeast/turkey-promises-retaliation-in-response-to-downing-of-military-jet-by-syria.html \|work=The New York Times \|publisher=New York Times Company \|accessdate=23 June 2012}}</ref> Syria stated that it had shot the fighter down using anti-aircraft artillery near the village of Om al-Tuyour, while it was flying over Syrian ] one kilometer away from land.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Military Spokesman: Anti-Air Defenses Intercepted a Target That Violated Syrian Airspace Over Territorial Waters, Shot It Down West of Lattakia \|first=H. \|last=Sabbagh \|url=http://sana.sy/eng/21/2012/06/23/427102.htm \|agency=Syrian Arab News Agency \|date=23 June 2012 \|accessdate=28 September 2012 \|deadurl=yes \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113131700/http://www.sana.sy/eng/21/2012/06/23/427102.htm \|archivedate=November 13, 2012 }}</ref> Turkey's foreign minister stated the jet was shot down in international airspace after accidentally entering Syrian airspace, while it was on a training flight to test Turkey's radar capabilities.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/24/turkey-plane-shot-down-syria \|title=Turkey goes to Nato over plane it says Syria downed in international airspace \|work=The Guardian \|date=24 June 2012 \|accessdate=24 June 2012 \|location=London}}</ref> Turkish Prime Minister ] vowed retaliation, saying: "The rules of engagement of the Turkish Armed Forces have changed ... Turkey will support Syrian people in every way until they get rid of the bloody dictator and his gang."<ref name="nation bloody">{{cite news \|url=http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/26-Jun-2012/turkey-dubs-syria-a-clear-threat-vows-to-retaliate \|title=Turkey dubs Syria 'a clear threat', vows to retaliate \|work=The Nation \|agency=Agence France-Presse \|date=26 June 2012 \|accessdate=26 June 2012}}</ref> Ankara acknowledged that the jet had flown over Syria for a short time, but they said such temporary overflights were common, had not led to an attack before, and alleged that Syrian helicopters had violated Turkish airspace five times without being attacked and that a second, search-and-rescue jet had been fired at.<ref name="nation bloody"/> Assad later expressed regret over the incident.<ref>{{cite news \|title= Syria-Turkey tension: Assad 'regrets' F-4 jet's downing \|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18685250 \|publisher=BBC News \|date= 3 July 2012 \|accessdate=4 July 2012 }}</ref> In August 2012, reports appeared in some Turkish newspapers claiming that the Turkish General Staff had deliberately misinformed the Turkish government about the fighter's location when it was shot down. The reports said that a ] command post at Izmir and a British base in Cyprus had confirmed that the fighter was shot down inside Syrian waters and that radar intelligence from U.S. forces had disproved any "accidentally entered Syrian waters" flightpath error. The General Staff denied the claims.<ref>Hurriyet Daily News, 11–12 August 2012, page 5, "No Misinformation on Downed Jet: Army".</ref>

	Tensions were further raised later when Syrian Arab Army mortar rounds began landing in Turkish territory. On 3 October, a Syrian mortar shell hit the Turkish town of ], killing 5 civilians.<ref name="uk.reuters.com"/><ref name="ynetnews1"/> Turkey responded by shelling Syrian army positions along the border.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4288276,00.html \|title=Turkey strikes targets inside Syria after mortar attack\|publisher=Ynetnews\|date=4 October 2012 \|accessdate=14 November 2012}}</ref> Throughout October, Syrian mortar shells repeatedly landed in Turkish territory, and the Turkish military launched retaliatory artillery and mortar strikes, firing into Syria a total of 87 times. These attacks reportedly killed 12 Syrian soldiers and destroyed several tanks.<ref name="Ynetnews">{{cite web\|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4294544,00.html \|title=Report: Turkish retaliatory fire has killed 12 Syrian soldiers\|publisher=Ynetnews\|date=20 October 2012 \|accessdate=14 November 2012}}</ref>

	=== 2013 incidents ===

	In the early hours of 14 January 2013, a shell fired by unknown Syrian forces landed in an olive grove near the border village of Akçabağlar, causing no casualties.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/nowsyrialatestnews/syrian_shell_strikes_turkey_no_injuries\|title=Syrian shell strikes Turkey, no injuries\|last=AFP\|date=14 January 2013\|publisher=NOW\|accessdate=14 January 2013}}</ref> On January 30, Syrian El Muhaberat agents tried to cross the border between Turkey and Syria but were turned back under fire by Turkish forces.

	On 11 February 2013, a bomb exploded at the Turkısh-Syrian border crossing in ], killing 14.<ref>{{cite news\|title=The brave Syrian risking his life to help kids like this cross the border\|work=]\|date=April 10, 2013\|accessdate=April 14, 2013\|url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/the-brave-syrian-risking-his-life-to-help-kids-like-this-cross-the-border-29185757.html}}</ref> According to BBC, the deadly attack killed 17 people and injured 30 more.<ref name="BBC-Blasts">{{cite news\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22494128\|title=Blasts kill dozens in Turkish town Reyhanli on Syria border\|publisher=BBC News\|date=11 May 2013\|accessdate=11 May 2013}}</ref>

	On April 30, 2013, according to Syrian opposition activists, the Syrian air force raided the headquarters of a rebel camp on Syrian-Turkish border, killing 5.<ref name=hatay1>{{cite news\|last=Hatay\|title=Syria strike on Turkey border kills five\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syria-strike-on-turkey-border-kills-five.aspx?pageID=238&nID=45987&NewsCatID=352\|accessdate=29 March 2014\|newspaper=Hurriyet Daily News\|quote=A Syrian air strike on a headquarters of a rebel brigade along the Turkish border killed at least five people, including children, and wounded dozens more on April 30, opposition activists said. The attack targeted buildings belonging to the Ahrar al-Sham, a Salafist Islamist rebel unit fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the activists said.\|date=30 April 2013}}</ref> Activists told ''Hurriyet Daily News'' that the air attack was made on headquarters of a Salafist group Ahrar al-Sham. A Turkish aid worker said the air strike also hit a warehouse on the Syrian side of the border used by aid groups. Another Syrian activist at Bab al-Hawa said people waiting to cross the Syrian-Turkish border were among those hit. He added that at least 15 wounded were taken to hospital near the crossing on the Syrian side and among the dead were a one-and-a-half-year-old child and two teenage girls. Some Syrian activists said some of the casualties were suffering breathing difficulties but said they did not know what type of munitions had been used in the attack. "We cannot confirm that there were any chemical weapons involved," Reyhanli mayor Huseyin Sanverdi told Reuters.

	On 2 May 2013, fighting occurred between Syrian anti-government insurgents and Turkish border guards at the Akçakale border crossing. One Turkish border guard was killed in the engagement, reportedly the first armed clashes between Turkish government agents and anti-Assad militants.<ref>{{cite news\|author=Mourtada, Hania and Rick Gladstone\|title=Syrian Forces Strike Rebels in Wide-Ranging Assaults\|work=The New York Times\|date=May 3, 2013\|accessdate=May 3, 2013\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/world/middleeast/syria.html?_r=0}}</ref>

	On September 16, 2013, Turkish jets shot down a Syrian helicopter on the Syrian-Turkish border.<ref name=r1609>{{cite news\|last=Tawfiq \|first=Saif \|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/16/us-syria-crisis-turkey-idUSBRE98F0K920130916 \|title=Turkish warplanes shoot down Syrian helicopter \|publisher=Reuters \|date=2013-09-16 \|accessdate=2013-11-19}}</ref> According to Turkish official statement, Turkish warplanes made the intercept after a Syrian Mi-17 helicopter had crossed into Turkish airspace and the government warned it had taken all necessary measures to defend itself against any further such violations. Syrian army acknowledged the helicopter had strayed into Turkish airspace for a short time, while monitoring "terrorists" moving across the border into Syria, but said it was an accident and that the aircraft was on its way back when it was shot down.<ref name=r1609/>

	The helicopter pilot was beheaded after the crash by Syrian rebels<ref name="dailymail.co.uk"/>

	=== 2014 incidents ===
	Five Syrian Kurds were killed while crossing borders into Turkey on January 20, 2014.<ref>{{cite web \|title= Five Syrian Kurds killed while crossing borders into Turkey \|url= http://aranews.org/en/home/kurdish-region/963-five-syrian-kurds-killed-while-crossing-borders-into-turkey.html \|accessdate=February 4, 2015 }}{{dead link\|date=June 2016\|bot=medic}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}}</ref> Zahir Mulla and Muhammad Ahmad were killed along with other three men (whose identities couldn't be identified), when Turkish border guards opened fire.{{Citation needed\|date=October 2015}}

	On 23 March 2014, Turkish fighter jets shot down a Syrian MiG-23. The ] claims that its aircraft was in Syrian airspace on a mission to attack rebel held areas in the city of ] when it was shot down by Turkey in an act of "blatant aggression." The Syrian pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft as the aircraft was being shot down.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/heavy-clashes-syria-near-turkish-border\|title=Turkish jet downs Syrian warplane near border\|work=The Big Story\|accessdate=4 March 2015}}</ref> Turkish Prime Minister ] stated that Turkish F-16s shot down the aircraft for violating Turkish airspace and said that the Turkish "response will be heavy if you violate our airspace."<ref>{{cite web\|title=Turkey downs Syria warplane on border\|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/03/23/Turkey-downs-Syria-warplane-on-border.html\|publisher=Al Arabiya News\|date=23 March 2014}}</ref>

	=== 2015 incidents ===
	{{See also\|Tomb of Suleyman Shah#Events during the Syrian Civil War}}

	In the night of 21–22 February 2015, a convoy of 572 Turkish troops in 39 tanks and 57 armoured vehicles entered Syria through ] to evacuate the 38-man Turkish military garrison guarding the ] and move the remains of Suleyman Shah to a different site because of a rumored attack threat of ISIL. The Turkish military did not seek permission from Syria to carry out the mission, the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the move, saying that Turkey "committed an act of flagrant aggression on Syrian land."

	On 16 May 2015, a Turkish Air Force ] shot down an Iranian made ] UAV that had violated Turkish airspace over Hatay province entering 11 km into Turkish airspace. Initial claims by the Turkish government mentioned an intruding helicopter was shot down, but later it was admitted that the downed aircraft was an UAV as claimed by the Syrian side.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=176145\|title=ASN Aircraft accident 16-MAY-2015 Mohajer-4\|author=Harro Ranter\|publisher=\|accessdate=29 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/f-16-larin-vurdugu-iha-suriye-gundem-2060652/\|title=F-16'ların vurduğu İHA, İran yapımı 'Muhacir'\|date=18 May 2015\|publisher=\|accessdate=29 May 2015}}</ref>

	In May, there was a public scandal over video footage released by the newspaper ] purporting to show Turkish intelligence shipping arms to Syrian Islamist rebels. The editor-in-chief and more than thirty officers involved in the search and the attempted search of another truck of weapons some time earlier now face charges for breaking counter-terrorism laws, attempting to overthrow the government and military espionage.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/29/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-arms-idUSKBN0OE28T20150529\|title=Video purports to show Turkish intelligence shipping arms to Syria\|date=29 May 2015\|work=Reuters}}</ref>

	=== 2016 incidents ===
	{{See also\|23 May 2016 Syrian bombings}}

	On 1 February Syria accused the Turkish military of shelling a location in the country’s northern Latakia province. Because of the shelling civilians had been injured.<ref name="https">{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/330932-turkey-shelled-syria-border/\|title=Syria accuses Turkey of shelling northern Latakia province\|publisher=rt}}</ref> Syrian government condemned the attack.<ref name="https1">{{cite news\|url=http://news.yahoo.com/syria-condemns-turkey-cross-border-shelling-130001866.html\|title=Syria condemns Turkey 'cross-border shelling'\|publisher=yahoo news}}</ref>

	Also, the Russian Defense Ministry presented a video which claims that shows Turkish military shelling Syrian territory using heavy artillery positioned close to the border.<ref name="https"/><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/330858-turkey-shells-syrian-territory/\|title=Turkish artillery shells Syrian territory – Russian military presents video proof\|publisher=rt}}</ref>
	According to Syria’s General Staff, Syrian opposition groups have also provided video evidence of the Turkish military shelling Syrian territory.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>

	On 13 February 2016, Turkey began heavy artillery bombing of Kurds in North Aleppo and at ] as they advanced against opposition groups.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Activists say Turkey shelling Kurds in Syria\|url=http://www.balkanews.org/index.php/2016/02/13/activists-say-turkey-shelling-kurds-in-syria/\|agency=abruzzo.tv\|date=13 February 2016}}</ref> The US urged Turkey to stop the shelling of the Kurds and focus on fighting the group Islamic State (IS),<ref name="bbc.com">{{cite news\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35571663\|title=Syria conflict: Turkey shells Kurdish militia\|publisher=bbc}}</ref> however, Turkey defied the US and French calls and continued the shelling the next day too.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite news\|url=http://news.yahoo.com/turkey-strikes-kurdish-fighters-syria-second-day-114818315.html\|title=Hopes for Syria ceasefire dim as Turkey shells Kurds\|publisher=yahoo}}</ref> Also, in a telephone call with German Chancellor ], Turkish Prime Minister ] said Turkey will continue to strike back at Kurdish fighters in Syria.<ref name="yahoo"/> Kurdish officials said that at least three YPG fighters have died since the shelling started on Saturday.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dw.com/en/france-urges-turkey-to-stop-syria-shelling/a-19048625\|title=France urges Turkey to stop Syria shelling\|publisher=dw}}</ref>

	Syria called the Turkish strikes a violation of its territory, and urged UN Security Council action to "put an end to the crimes of the Turkish regime".<ref name="yahoo"/> It also accused Ankara of allowing some 100 gunmen to enter Syria, also, the ] said some 350 Islamist fighters had been allowed to travel through Turkish territory on Saturday 14 February 2016 to reinforce Islamist rebels in Azaz and Tal Rifaat.<ref name="yahoo"/>

	Turkish artillery also targeted Syrian forces on both days.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/332380-turkey-shells-northern-syria/\|title=Turkish forces shell Kurdish camp in Syria, reportedly hit govt forces\|publisher=rt}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3445347/Turkey-Saudi-launch-anti-IS-ground-operation-Syria.html\|title=Turkey strikes Kurd, regime forces in Syria, mulls ground attack\|publisher=dailymail}}</ref>

	The Syrian government has accused Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia of being behind a wave of bombings in the coastal cities of ] and ].<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite news\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36365843\|title=Syria blames Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for deadly bombings\|publisher=bbc}}</ref><ref name="reuters">{{cite news\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-latakia-idUSKCN0YE0PB\|title=Bombs kill nearly 150 in Syrian government-held cities: monitor\|publisher=reuters}}</ref> At least five suicide bombers and two devices planted in cars killed nearly 150 people and wounded at least 200. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.<ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="reuters"/> The attacks were the first of their kind in Tartous and in Jableh.<ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="reuters"/> This part of Syria had escaped the worst of the civil war till these attacks.<ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="reuters"/> These cities were government-controlled territory that hosted Russian military bases. Russia had a naval base in Tartous and an air base near Jableh.<ref name="ReferenceC"/><ref name="reuters"/>

	== Turkey and Rojava ==
	{{See also\|Rojava\|Rojava conflict\|Foreign relations of Rojava\|Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict (2013–present)}}

	Turkey has received the co-chair of ]'s leading ] (PYD), ], for talks in 2013<ref>{{cite web\|title=PYD leader arrives in Turkey for two-day talks: Report\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pyd-leader-arrives-in-turkey-for-two-day-talks-report.aspx?pageID=238&nID=51439&NewsCatID=338\|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News\|date=25 July 2013}}</ref> and in 2014,<ref>{{cite web\|title=Syrian Kurdish leader holds secret talks in Turkey: reports\|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/syrian-kurdish-leader-holds-secret-talks-turkey-reports-140034309.html\|publisher=Yahoo\|date=5 October 2014}}</ref> even entertaining the idea of opening a Rojava representation office in ] "if it's suitable with Ankara's policies.".<ref>{{cite web\|title=Salih Muslim’s trip to Turkey and Incirlik Base\|url=http://www.yenisafak.com/en/columns/abdulkadirselvi/salih-muslims-trip-to-turkey-and-incirlik-base-2015919\|publisher=Yeni Safak\|date=7 July 2015}}</ref> Nonwithstanding, ] is persistently hostile, because it feels threatened by Rojava's emergence encouraging activism for autonomy among ] and the ], and in this context in particular Rojava's leading ] (PYD) and the ] (YPG) militia being members of the ] (KCK) network of organisations, which also includes both political and militant assertively Kurdish organizations in Turkey itself, including the ] (PKK). Turkey's policy towards Rojava is based on an economic blockade,<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2016-10-14/rojava-model\|title=The Rojava Model\|author=Meredith Tax\|publisher=Foreign Affairs\|date=14 October 2016}}</ref> persistent attempts of international isolation,<ref name=OIC></ref> opposition to the cooperation of the international Anti-ISIL-coalition with Rojava militias,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-president-erdogan-slams-us-over-ypg-support.aspx?PageID=238&NID=99783&NewsCatID=510\|title=Turkish President Erdoğan slams US over YPG support\|work=Hurryiet Daily News\|date=28 May 2016\|accessdate=2016-11-02}}</ref> and support of ] Syrian Civil War parties hostile towards Rojava,<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://lobelog.com/how-can-turkey-overcome-its-foreign-policy-mess/\|title=How Can Turkey Overcome Its Foreign Policy Mess?\|publisher=Lobolog (Graham E. Fuller)\|date=2016-02-19\|accessdate=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews=44027\|title=The Rise of Jaysh al-Fateh in Northern Syria\|author=Wladimir van Wilgenburg\|publisher=Jamestown Foundation\|date=12 June 2015\|accessdate=2016-10-28}}</ref> in past times even including ISIL.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-l-phillips/research-paper-isis-turke_b_6128950.html\|title=Research Paper: ISIS-Turkey Links\|author=David L. Phillips\|publisher=Huffington Post\|date=11 September 2014\|accessdate=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/links-between-turkey-and-isis-are-now-undeniable-2015-7\|title=Senior Western official: Links between Turkey and ISIS are now 'undeniable'\|publisher=Businessinsider\|date=28 July 2015\|accessdate=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.meforum.org/5317/turkey-isis\|title=Turkey's Double Game with ISIS\|author=Burak Bekdil\|publisher=Middle East Quarterly\|date=Summer 2015\|accessdate=2016-10-28}}</ref> Turkey has on several occasions also been militarily attacking Rojava territory and defence forces.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/27/turkey-shells-kurdish-held-village-in-syria\|title=Turkey accused of shelling Kurdish-held village in Syria\|work=The Guardian\|date=27 July 2015\|accessdate=2016-06-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://aranews.net/2016/02/turkey-bombs-kurdish-city-of-afrin-northern-syria-civilian-casualties-reported/\|title=Turkey strikes Kurdish city of Afrin northern Syria, civilian casualties reported\|publisher=Ara News\|date=19 February 2016\|accessdate=2016-06-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://europe.newsweek.com/turkeys-syria-intervention-sign-weakness-not-strength-501516\|title=Turkey’s Syria Intervention: A Sign of Weakness Not Strength\|author= Christopher Phillips\|publisher=Newsweek\|date=22 September 2016\|accessdate=2016-10-28}}</ref> The latter has resulted in some of the most clearcut instances of international solidarity with Rojava.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/germany-warns-turkey-attacking-kurds-syria/\|title=Germany warns Turkey from attacking Kurds in Syria\|work=Iraqi News\|date=28 August 2016}}</ref><ref name=Tastekin>{{cite web\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/09/turkey-syria-intervention-wreck-arab-kurdish-alliance.html\|title=US backing ensures Arab-Kurd alliance in Syria will survive\|author=Fehim Taştekin\|publisher=Al-Monitor\|date=9 September 2016\|accessdate=2016-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://sputniknews.com/politics/201610211046579169-turkey-strikes-syria/\|title=Moscow Concerned Over Turkish Airstrikes on Kurdish Positions in Syria - Lavrov\|work=Sputnik News\|date=21 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2016/10/statement-by-sasc-chairman-john-mccain-on-turkish-government-attacks-on-syrian-kurds\|title=Statement by SASC Chairman John McCain on Turkish Government Attacks on Syrian Kurds\|author=U.S. Senator John McCain, Chairman of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee\|date=27 October 2016}}</ref>

	In the perception of much of the Turkish public, the Rojava federal project as well as U.S. support against ISIL are elements of a wider conspiracy scheme by a "mastermind" with the aim to weaken or even dismember Turkey, in order to prevent its imminent rise as a global power.<ref>{{cite web\|title=The Tin-Foil Hats Are Out in Turkey. From Zionist plots to CIA conspiracies, Turkey’s favorite pastime is believing that the world is out to get it. \|url=http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/09/12/the-tin-foil-hats-are-out-in-turkey/\|publisher=Foreign Policy\|date=12 September 2016}}</ref> Opposition leader ] has argued for Turkey and other countries to recognize Rojava and work with it as a partner.<ref>{{cite web \|title=HDP leader says Ankara has 'neither the power nor means' to eliminate Kurdish movement\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/01/turkey-pro-kurdish-party-leader-demirtas-pkk-tamil-tigers.html\|publisher=Al Monitor\|date=2016-01-04\|accessdate=2016-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=The U.S. should accept a Syrian Kurdish region, says Turkish opposition leader\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/05/02/the-u-s-should-accept-a-syrian-kurdish-state-says-turkish-opposition-leader/\|publisher=Washington Post\|date=2016-05-02\|accessdate=2016-06-13}}</ref>

	], co-chairman of the ], with ] at ] in ]]]

	===From fall 2014: Kobanî in focus===
	{{See also\|Siege of Kobanî\|People's Protection Units\|Women's Protection Units}}

	With the Turkish government thinking that a declaration was enough, and with only a minimum of western airstrikes helping the defenders of Kobanî, ISIL troops edged closer to the city, eventually entering it from the south and east.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/kobane-is-about-to-fall-says-erdogan-calling-for-no-fly-zone-and-safe-havens.aspx?pageID=238&nID=72650&NewsCatID=510\|title=Turkish President Erdoğan says airstrikes not enough to save Kobane\|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> Feeling betrayed by the Turkish government and hearing that Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu's previous vow not to let Kobanî fall was in fact a lie, refugees on the border and citizens in the cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Antakya, Antalya, Eskişehir, Denizli, Kocaeli, Diyarbakır, Siirt, Batman, and elsewhere began to protest. Turkish police responded with tear gas and water cannons, and live fire in the southern province of ], killing protestors.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/istanbul-police-resort-to-tear-gas-and-water-cannon-as-anti-isil-protests-staged-across-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=72659&NewsCatID=341\|title=Wrap up: At least 26 killed in ISIL protests across Turkey as curfew declared in six provinces - LOCAL\|publisher=\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://rt.com/news/193844-protests-turkey-isis-kurdish/\|title=Tear gas, clashes, fatality: Anti-ISIS rally in Turkey turns violent (PHOTOS)\|publisher=\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

	By 7 October, ISIL militants and Kurdish defenders were fighting in the streets of Kobanî, with many dead and scores wounded on both sides.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/latest-news_16-dead-across-turkey-as-fate-of-kobani-stirs-up-tensions_360981.html\|title=22 killed in protests against ISIL siege of Kurdish town\|work=Today's Zaman\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="US will not save Kobane">{{cite news\|title=ISIS threat\|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/08/world/meast/isis-threat/index.html\|website=cnn.com\|accessdate=9 October 2014}}</ref> As the battle for Kobanî continued to rage, rioting continued in Turkey, and almost 40 people were killed in street clashes by mid-October. In late October, ISIL began shelling the border post near Kobanî.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/latest-news_isil-shells-syrian-border-crossing-with-turkey-in-kobani-offensive_361195.html\|title=ISIL shells Syrian border crossing with Turkey in Kobani offensive\|work=Today's Zaman\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> On 11 October, Turkish President Erdogan denounced the protests, claiming that they were attacking Turkey's "peace, stability, and environment of trust." He stated that the government was already caring for 200,000 Kurdish refugees from the Kobanî area and asked, "What does Kobanî have to do with Turkey?"<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/_erdogan-what-does-kobani-have-to-do-with-turkey_361306.html\|title=Erdoğan: What does Kobani have to do with Turkey?\|work=Today's Zaman\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> By mid-October, ] between Turkish military forces and ] (PKK) elements in southeastern Turkey.

	On 29 November 2014, ISIL fighters began attacking YPG fighters in Kobanî from Turkish territory.<ref name="auto">Isis launches attack on Kobani from inside Turkey for first time, The Guardian, Saturday 29 November 2014 </ref> Kurdish sources in Kobane said that on November 29 ISIL fighters attacked Kobane from Turkish territory, and that the assault began with a vehicle driven by a suicide bomber coming from Turkish territory. During the attack, a group of ISIL fighters were seen atop granary silos on the Turkish side of the border.<ref name="hurriyetdailynews.com">{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-day-the-turkish-flag-was-taken-down-on-syria-border.aspx?pageID=238&nID=75150&NewsCatID=352\|title=The day the Turkish flag was taken down on Syria border\|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News\|accessdate=4 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="al-monitor.com">{{cite web\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2014/12/turkey-syria-border-mursitpinar-kobane-kurds-isis.html##ixzz3Kru2JBlR\|title=Is Islamic State finding refuge in Turkey? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East\|work=Al-Monitor\|accessdate=4 March 2015}}</ref> According to the German news outlet 'Der Spiegel', ISIL fighters also attacked YPG positions near the border gate from Turkish soil.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web\|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/kobane-islamischer-staat-greift-von-der-tuerkei-aus-an-a-1005699.html\|title=Schlacht um syrische Grenzstadt: IS-Kämpfer greifen Kobane aus der Türkei an\|work=Der Spiegel\|language=German\|date=29 November 2014\|publisher=Associated Press and Reuters\|accessdate=29 November 2014}}</ref> According to the SOHR, YPG fighters crossed the Turkish border and attacked ISIL positions on Turkish soil, before pulling back to Syria. Soon afterwards, the Turkish Army regained control of the border crossing and silos area.<ref name="counter">{{cite web\|url=http://syriahr.com/en/2014/11/50-isis-killed-in-ein-al-arabkobane/ \|title=50 ISIS killed in Ein al-Arab"Kobane" \|work=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights \|date=30 November 2014 \|accessdate=30 November 2014 \|deadurl=yes \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201190100/http://syriahr.com/en/2014/11/50-isis-killed-in-ein-al-arabkobane/ \|archivedate=December 1, 2014 }}</ref>

	On 25 June 2015, fighters from ] launched an ], detonating three ]s.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/isil-24-hour-killing-rampage-kobane-150626144824173.html\|title=ISIL on 24-hour 'killing rampage' in Syria's Kobane\|work=aljazeera.com}}</ref> The ISIL fighters were reported to have disguised themselves as Kurdish security forces, before entering the town and shooting civilians with assault rifles and RPGs.<ref name=indyvoices>{{cite news\|title=Isis in Kobani: Why we ignore the worst of the massacres\|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/isis-in-kobani-why-we-ignore-the-worst-of-the-massacres-10350268.html\|author=]\|work=Independent Voices (opinion)\|date=27 Jun 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=ISIS commits major massacre in Syria's Kobani: activists\|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Jun-26/303885-civilian-death-toll-from-isis-attack-on-kobani-hits-146-2nd-largest-massacre-of-civilians-by.ashx\|website=Daily Star Lebanon}}</ref> Over 164 people were killed and 200 injured.<ref name=indyvoices/> Kurdish forces and the Syrian government claimed the vehicles had entered the city from across the border, an action denied by Turkey.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web\|title=Syria crisis: IS re-enters Kurdish-held city of Kobane\|date=25 June 2015\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33266399\|accessdate=25 June 2015}}</ref> ISIS also committed a massacre in the village of Barkh Butan, about 20 kilometres south of Kobanî, executing at least 23 Syrian Kurds, among them women and children.<ref>{{cite web\|title=IS 'executes 23 Kurds' in village near Syria's Kobane\|url=http://news.yahoo.com/executes-20-kurds-village-near-syrias-kobane-092329781.html\|website=Yahoo News}}</ref>

	] (YPJ) with a standard uniform]]

	===From summer 2015: Rojava expands, Turkey becomes openly hostile===
	{{See also\|Tell Abyad offensive\|Northern Aleppo offensive (February 2016)}}

	On 24 and 25 October 2015, Kurds accused the Turkish military of opening fire at its forces in ] after the majority Arab town was included into ]. The Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed it, saying "we hit it twice,".<ref name="aljazeera">{{cite news\|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/turkey-attacks-kurdish-fighters-syria-151027082432729.html\|title=Turkey attacks Kurdish fighters inside Syria\|publisher=aljazeera}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34645462\|title=Turkey confirms shelling Kurdish fighters in Syria\|publisher=bbc}}</ref> There were no casualties in the shooting and the Kurdish forces didn't return fire.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-is-militants-tie-captives-to-palmyra-columns-blow-them-up-2015-10\|title=IS militants tie captives to Palmyra columns, blow them up\|publisher=business insider}}</ref> On October 25, Turkish forces also attacked the village of Buban. During the attack two civilians wounded.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/28/world/europe/turkey-syria-kurdish-militias.html?_r=0\|title=Turkey Confirms Strikes Against Kurdish Militias in Syria\|publisher=nytimes}}</ref>

	On 15 February 2016, Turkey hit again Kurdish forces in Syria. A Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman said the strikes came after a border security outpost in the ] was attacked.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/332471-turkey-syria-azaz-kurds/\|title=Turkey ‘won’t let’ Azaz, Syria, fall to Kurdish militia, shells YPG targets for 3rd day \|publisher=rt}}</ref> In addition, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Turkish troops were shelling the road to the west of the town of Tal Rifaat and also the region to the west of the Syrian border town of Azaz, but failed to stop the advance of the Kurdish forces.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.yahoo.com/turkey-shells-advancing-kurds-syria-third-day-112940745.html\|title=Turkey shells advancing Kurds in Syria for third day\|publisher=yahoo}}</ref> On 16 February 2016, Turkish forces continued to shell the positions of Syrian Kurds in northern Syria for the fourth day. Turkish military said that it was retaliating to fire coming from the region.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-military-retaliates-to-pyd-fire-in-northern-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95260&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkish military retaliates to PYD fire in northern Syria\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref> On 17 February 2016, in Ankara, a ] happened at night. The attack targeted a convoy of military vehicles. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and President Erdogan blamed a Syrian Kurdish militia fighter working with Kurdish militants inside Turkey for a suicide car bombing, and vowed retaliation in both Syria and Iraq.<ref name="reutersl">{{cite news\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-blast-idUSKCN0VQ25S\|title=Turkey blames Kurdish militants for Ankara bomb, vows response in Syria and Iraq\|publisher=reutersl}}</ref> However the ] (TAK) took responsibility for the attack and said they targeted security forces.<ref name=ntv1>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/tsk-saldiri-trafik-isiklarinda-meydana-geldi,wy4j4ItaPkS9Q9YokOungw\|title=TSK: Saldırı trafik ışıklarında meydana geldi\|date=17 February 2016\|work=NTV\|accessdate=17 February 2016}}</ref>

	On February 22, 2016, U.S.-Russia joint cease-fire deal announced to take effect in Syria on Feb. 27, but the “cessation of hostilities” does not include ISIL and the al-Nusra Front, the main jihadist factions. On Feb. 24, Turkish president, Erdoğan, during a speech said that “The PYD and the YPG need to be out of the scope of the cease-fire, just like Daesh (ISIL) is,”.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web\|title=Keep PYD out of Syria truce deal: Erdoğan\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/keep-pyd-out-of-syria-truce-deal-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95635&NewsCatID=352\|website=hurriyet}}</ref> Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would continue shelling Kurdish militants across the border in Syria, despite calls from Washington and other Western capitals to halt the attacks.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/turkeys-shelling-of-kurds-in-syria-will-continue-erdogan-says-1455725107\|title=Turkey’s Shelling of Kurds in Syria Will Continue, Erdogan Says\|publisher=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> On 19 February Turkish artillery units shelled again PYD targets in northern Syria.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-military-continues-shelling-pyd-targets-in-northern-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95417&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkish military continues shelling PYD targets in northern Syria\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref> Opposition groups reported that over the previous few days they had brought over 2,000 reinforcements with heavy equipment from the Idlib area, through Turkey assisted by Turkish forces, to fight against Kurdish militias north of Aleppo and to support rebels in Azaz.<ref name=reuters-20160218>{{cite news \|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUKKCN0VR0RH \|title=Syrian rebels say reinforcements get free passage via Turkey \|author=Suleiman Al-Khalidi \|publisher=Reuters \|date=18 February 2016 \|accessdate=19 February 2016}}</ref> ] Press Secretary Peter Cook said that Turkey’s shelling of YPG forces in northern Syria would be an “ongoing topic of conversation” between USA and Turkey.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/keep-pyd-out-of-syria-truce-deal-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95635&NewsCatID=352\|title=Keep PYD out of Syria truce deal: Erdoğan\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	On 4 March 2016, the YPG militia said that Turkey′s tanks had fired dozens of shells at its positions in the area of ] in northwest Syria.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-ypg-idUSKCN0W61ZJ\|title=Syrian Kurdish YPG Turkish tanks shell its positions\|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that Turkey continues to shell Kurdish forces in Syria, hampering their operations against Al-Nusra, and at the same time funneling supplies to the militant-controlled areas at the border.<ref name="auto6">{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/334609-turkey-syria-kurds-terrorists/\|title=Turkey keeps shelling Kurds, backing terrorist groups in Syria – Russian MoD\|publisher=RT}}</ref> Jihadists and Turkish trucks supplying them continued to freely cross the Turkish-Syrian border.<ref name="auto6"/><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/03/04/453794/Syria-Turkey-Russia-Kuralenko\|title=Arms supplied daily to Syria militants via Turkey border: Russia\|publisher=presstv}}</ref> On 6 March, jihadists shelled Turkish areas from Syrian territory in an attempt to provoke a response that could lead to Ankara sending troops into the neighboring country.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/334739-syria-militants-shell-turkey/\|title=Al-Nusra militants in Syria shell Turkey to prompt return fire – Russian military\|publisher=rt}}</ref> On 8 March, Mortar shells fired from Syria in Turkey and killed 2 civilians, the Turkish military returned fire into Syria. According to Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Islamic State militants were responsible for the attack.<ref name="uk.reuters.com"/>

	===From spring 2016: Manbij and international solidarity with Rojava===
	{{See also\|Syrian Democratic Forces\|Manbij offensive\|Western al-Bab offensive (October-November 2016)\|Battle of al-Bab (2016)}}

	In December 2015, the ] (SDF), the newly founded umbrella for Rojava-affiliated militias, captured the ] and crossed the ], capturing the town of Tishrin and other nearby areas from ISIL, paving the way for a future offensive toward Manbij. In April 2016, factions of the SDF formed the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/2-april-military-council-formed-and-announced-on-tishrin\|title=Military council formed and announced on Tishrin Dam, statement says: "We will make every effort to capture Manbij"\|work=Live UA Map\|date=2 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://isis.liveuamap.com/en/2016/2-april-several-sdf-factions-have-formed-the-military-council\|title=Several SDF factions have formed the military council for Manbij\|work=Live UA Map\|date=2 April 2016}}</ref> The U.S. asked for Turkey's support for the Manbij offensive, but Turkey had two demands that were rejected, namely that the forces in the offensive should leave the ] SDF umbrella, and that the U.S. should increase its airstrikes for jihadist groups Turkey supports.<ref name="two demands">{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-has-two-demands-from-us-for-support-in-manbij-operation-sources-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97246&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkey has two demands from US for support in Manbij operation: Sources\|work=Hürriyet Daily News}}</ref><ref name="two demands" /><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-manbij-idUSKCN0YN4HR\|title=Turkey not contributing to U.S.-backed Syria operation near Manbij: source\|date=1 June 2016\|accessdate=6 June 2016\|via=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-not-contributing-to-us-backed-syria-operation-near-manbij-source.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99932&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkey not contributing to US-backed Syria operation near Manbij: Source\|work=Hürriyet Daily News}}</ref> When the offensive started, the '']'' reported it under the headline of "Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria".<ref>{{cite web \|title=Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-backs-kurds-in-drive-against-isis-in-syria-despite-turkish-objections/2016/06/01/7bacf6fa-2808-11e6-8329-6104954928d2_story.html\|work=The Washington Post\|date=1 June 2016\|accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref>

	During the late summer 2016 ] in ], U.S. Special Operations Forces embedded with SDF forces, to successfully deter Turkey and Turkish-backed jihadi rebels from attacking SDF forces south of the Sajur river.<ref name=Tastekin /> Further, the ] confirmed that U.S. Special Operation Forces were flying U.S. flags in the town of ] in ] to deter Turkish harassment shelling or attacks against SDF forces there.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/us-flags-northern-syria_us_57e138efe4b08cb14097dfa0\|publisher=Huffington Post\|title=Mysterious American Flags In Northern Syria Were Planted By U.S. Troops, Pentagon Says\|date=20 September 2016\|accessdate=20 September 2016}}</ref>

	== Turkey and ISIL ==
	{{anchor\|Turkey v ISIS}}
	{{main article\|Turkey–ISIL conflict}}

	Turkey has, despite national and international criticism, largely refused to directly engage militants of the ] (ISIL), despite continued threats from ISIL to pursue more operations on Turkish soil. The Turkish response to the ISIL-led ] as well as a series of terrorist attacks on Turkish soil allegedly linked to ISIL perpetrators, was largely subdued apart from a series of incidents on the ]. On 23 July 2014 one Turkish sergeant was killed by fire from ] forces in Syria, and four Turkish tanks returned fire into ISIL held territory in Syria.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/23/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-idUSKCN0PX1SE20150723\|title=Turkish army returns fire on Islamic State after soldier killed: army\|work=Reuters\|date=23 July 2015\|accessdate=23 July 2015}}</ref> The following day ISIL and Turkish soldiers actively engaged in the Turkish border town of ], marking a dangerous new escalation in the ties between Turkey and ISIL.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.internethaber.com/kiliste-son-dakika-isid-saldirisi-1-sehit-802998h.htm\|title=Kilis'te son dakika IŞİD saldırısı 1 Şehit\|work=Internethaber}}</ref> Turkish ] struck ISIL targets across the border from ] with ]s, the Turkish government announced.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/07/23/report-turkish-jets-strike-is-targets-in-syria\|work=U.S. News and World Report\|title=Turkey says warplanes strike IS targets across the border in Syria\|first=Suzan\|last=Fraser\|date=24 July 2015\|accessdate=23 July 2015}}</ref>

	The Turkish government claimed that this was to prevent an attempted invasion by ISIL troops.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/world/europe/turkey-isis-syria-airstrikes.html\|title=Turkey, Anticipating Attack, Strikes 3 ISIS Targets in Syria With Jets\|date=25 July 2015\|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

	On August 25, 2015 Turkish newspaper Bugün ran a front-page story showing alleged transfer of weapon and explosives from Turkey to ISIL through Akcakale border post. A couple of days later offices of Koza İpek Media Group, the owner of the newspaper, were raided by Turkish police.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/_raid-on-koza-i-pek-media-group-comes-after-reports-on-transfer-of-weapons-to-isil_397966.html\|title=Raid on Koza İpek Media Group comes after reports on transfer of weapons to ISIL\|date=1 September 2015\|work=TodaysZaman}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-01/turkish-police-raid-gulen-linked-koza-ipek-on-terrorism-charges\|title=Turkey Escalates Gulen Witch Hunt With Koza Ipek Raids\|author=Onur Ant, Selcan Hacaoglu and Isobel Finkel\|date=1 September 2015\|work=Bloomberg.com}}</ref>

	In late November 2015, Turkey started tougher controls to stop ISIL militants crossing on a 60-mile stretch of the border with Syria where ISIL had control of the Syrian side. The crossing was used for smuggling and for arms transfers. This followed Russian ] directly accusing Turkey of aiding ISIL and al-Qaeda, and pressure from the U.S.<ref name=independent-20151130>{{cite news \|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/war-with-isis-president-obama-demands-that-turkey-close-stretch-of-frontier-with-syria-a6753836.html \|title=War with Isis: President Obama demands that Turkey close stretch of border with Syria \|author=Patrick Cockburn \|newspaper=The Independent \|date=30 November 2015 \|accessdate=30 November 2015}}</ref>

	=== ISIS attacks on Kilis April May 2016 ===
	Turkish artillery strikes killed over 54 ISIL militants on April 2016,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-artillery-shells-missile-launchers-kills-11-isil-militants.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98371&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkish artillery shells missile launchers, kills 11 ISIL militants\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eight-isil-militants-killed-in-turkish-shelling-in-syria-army.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98309&NewsCatID=509\|title=Eight ISIL militants killed in Turkish shelling in Syria: Army\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/13-isil-militants-killed-in-turkish-shelling-in-northern-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98393&NewsCatID=352\|title=13 ISIL militants killed in Turkish shelling in northern Syria\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/isil-fires-five-mortar-shells-near-turkish-border-post.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98455&NewsCatID=341\|title=ISIL fires five mortar shells near Turkish border post\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref> whilst 5 people were killed and 22 others were wounded by ISIL rocket projectiles hitting the border province of Kilis.<ref name="auto2">{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/16-wounded-as-two-rocket-projectiles-fired-from-syria-land-in-turkeys-kilis.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98241&NewsCatID=341\|title=16 wounded as two rocket projectiles fired from Syria land in Turkey’s Kilis\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/death-toll-from-kilis-rocket-strikes-hits-19.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98613&NewsCatID=341\|title=Death toll from Kilis rocket strikes hits 19\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	The Turkish Foreign Ministry has demanded raising awareness on the Kilis to the U.S. Department of State. Turkey also demanded the deployment of ] rocket launchers at Turkey’s Syria border. According to Turkey, such moves would push ISIL militants southwards, leaving the border province of Kilis out of battery ranges.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/coalition-drones-take-off-from-turkey-hit-isils-bomb-factory-in-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98567&NewsCatID=352\|title=Coalition drones take off from Turkey, hit ISIL’s bomb factory in Syria\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	From 3 May 2016 to 6 May rocket fire struck the Turkish city of Kilis from ISIS controlled territory with the Turkish Army responding with fire at every attack.<ref name="auto3">{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/six-isil-militants-killed-after-rocket-projectiles-hit-turkeys-kilis-army.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98656&NewsCatID=341\|title=Six ISIL militants killed after rocket projectiles hit Turkey’s Kilis: Army\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-rockets-hit-turkeys-kilis-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98707&NewsCatID=509\|title=Two rockets hit Turkey’s Kilis \|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/under-isil-fire-kilis-locals-demand-more-protection.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98821&NewsCatID=341\|title=Under ISIL fire, Kilis locals demand more protection\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	On 6 May the governor’s office in Kilis released an official statement declared the province a “special security area,” effective for 15 days until 5:00 p.m. on May 20.<ref name="auto4"/>

	Also, in the morning hours, the Turkish military carried out four separate air strikes against ISIL positions in northern Syria, as part of a joint effort and intelligence with the U.S.-led coalition forces.
	Two Katyusha rockets were fired from ISIL positions in Syria on the southeastern province of Kilis following the air strikes. Turkish armed forces responded to the attack by shelling ISIL targets with howitzers from the border.<ref name="auto5">{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-stages-cross-border-operations-against-pkk-and-isil-in-iraq-and-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98873&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkey stages cross-border operations against PKK and ISIL in Iraq and Syria\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	In the evening hours, reconnaissance and surveillance vehicles spotted ISIL positions in the Suran region north of Aleppo and the Baragidah and Kuşacık regions northeast of Tal el Hişn. Army shelled them. A total of 55 ISIL militants were killed in the shellings, while three vehicles and three rocket launchers belonging to the jihadist group were also destroyed.<ref name="auto5"/>

	From 11–15 May a total of 55 ISIL militants were killed by Turkey and U.S.-led coalition in operations targeting positions belonging to the jihadist group in Syria, Turkish security sources have said.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/28-isil-militants-killed-in-turkish-coalition-operations-in-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99072&NewsCatID=352\|title=28 ISIL militants killed in Turkish, coalition operations in Syria\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/27-isil-militants-killed-in-turkish-coalition-operations-in-northern-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99216&NewsCatID=352\|title=27 ISIL militants killed in Turkish, coalition operations in northern Syria\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	=== ISIS terrorist attacks on Turkey ===

	On 7 July 2015, reports surfaced that Turkish security forces seized a truck bound for Syria loaded with 10,000 detonators and explosive primers with total length of {{convert\|290000\|m\|abbr=off}} in ] province, southeastern Turkey. Five people were arrested. The detainees admitted attempts of crossing the border from the village of Aegean into ] city in the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=47522\|title=A truck loaded with 10,000 detonators bound for Syria seized southeastern Turkey, Turkish daily says\|author=hala\|publisher=\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref>
	{{main article\|2015 Suruç bombing}}

	On 20 July 2015, a cultural center in ] was bombed by a 20-year-old male Turkish
	ISIL member.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/22/turkey-blocks-twitter-to-stop-broadcast-of-suruc-bombing-images\|title=Turkey releases bombing suspect details as Twitter temporarily shut down\|author=Constanze Letsch\|work=the Guardian\|accessdate=23 July 2015}}</ref> 32 people were killed in the town of Suruç's municipal culture center in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa, and at least 100 people were hospitalised.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33593615\|title=Suruc massacre: At least 30 killed in Turkey border blast\|work=BBC News\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref>

	{{main article\|2015 Ankara bombings}}
	On 10 October 2015 at 10:04 local time (]) in ], the capital city of ], two bombs were detonated outside ]. With a death toll of 103 civilians,<ref name=hdn103>{{Cite news \|title=Does Turkey have to learn to live with terror? \|newspaper=] \|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/does-turkey-have-to-learn-to-live-with-terror.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96501&NewsCatID=429 \|date=16 March 2016 \|accessdate=17 March 2016}}</ref> the attack surpassed the 2013 ] as the deadliest terror attack in ].<ref>{{Cite news\|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34495161\|title = BBC: Ankara explosions leave more than 80 dead – officials\|date = 10 October 2015\|publisher = BBC News\|access-date = 10 October 2015\|via = }}</ref> Another 500 people were injured.<ref name=NRC29Jun16>], 29 June 2016.</ref><ref name=basbakanlik>{{cite web\|title=BAŞBAKANLIK KOORDİNASYON MERKEZİ AÇIKLAMASI 11 EKİM – 12:24\|url=http://www.basbakanlik.gov.tr/Forms/_Article/pg_Article.aspx?Id=4fb00379-6412-4b85-ba20-8c8c630aec69\|publisher=]}}</ref>

	{{main article\|March 2016 Istanbul bombing}}
	On 19 March 2016, a ] took place in ]'s ] district in front of the ]'s office. The attack occurred at 10:55 (]) at the intersection of Balo Street with ],<ref name=hurriyet>{{cite web\|title=SON DAKİKA: İstanbul İstiklal Caddesi'nde patlama meydana geldi\|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/son-dakika-istanbul-istiklal-caddesinde-patlama-meydana-geldi-40071967\|publisher=Hürriyet\|accessdate=19 March 2016}}</ref> a central shopping street.<ref name="t24patlama">{{cite web\|title=İstiklal Caddesi'nde canlı bomba saldırısı; 5 kişi öldü, 3'ü ağır 36 yaralı var!\|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/istiklal-caddesinde-patlama-yaralilar-var,332710\|publisher=T24\|accessdate=19 March 2016}}</ref> The attack caused at least five deaths,<ref name="ind">{{cite web\|title=Istanbul explosion: At least five dead as tourist shopping area Istiklal Street hit by suicide bombing in Turkey\|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/istanbul-explosion-injuries-reported-as-tourist-shopping-area-hit-by-blast-in-turkish-city-a6940706.html\|publisher=The Independent\|accessdate=19 March 2016}}</ref> including that of the perpetrator. 36 people were injured, including seven whose injuries were severe.<ref name=hurriyet /><ref name="t24patlama" /> Among those injured were twelve foreign tourists.<ref name="t24patlama" /> Among those killed, two were of ] Israel-US nationality.<ref name=JPost20>{{Cite news \|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israeli-authorities-publicize-name-of-fatality-from-Istanbul-attack-448493 \|title=Israeli authorities confirm two fatalities from Istanbul bombing were dual US-Israeli citizens \|newspaper=] \|date=20 March 2016 \|accessdate=20 March 2016}}</ref> On 22 March, the Turkish interior minister said that the bomber had links with ].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96674&NewsCatID=509\|title=CRIME - Police identifies Istanbul bomber as ISIL member\|access-date=2016-03-21}}</ref>

	{{main article\|2016 Atatürk Airport attack}}
	On 28 June 2016, ISIL militants ]. The three suicide bombers opened fire at passengers before blowing themselves up.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/at-least-36-killed-in-terror-attack-on-istanbuls-ataturk-airport.aspx?PageID=238&NID=101035&NewsCatID=341\|title=At least 42 killed in terror attack on Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport\|publisher=hurriyetdailynews}}</ref> The attacks left 45 dead and 230 wounded.<ref name=straitstimes_2016-07-02>{{cite web\|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/istanbul-airport-attack-toll-rises-to-45-as-child-dies\|title=Toll rises to 45 as child dies\|last=The Straits Times\|first=World\|date=2 July 2016\|publisher=Straitstimes.com\|accessdate=2 July 2016}}</ref>

	== Turkey's military intervention in Syria ==

	=== 2014 invasion plans ===
	{{further information\|Tomb of Suleyman Shah#(Rumoured) threats of ISIL}}

	On 27 March 2014 an audio tape recording of high-level Turkish officials discussing Turkey's Syria strategy was released on ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/turkeys_isil_problem.php#ixzz34knGEty5\|title=Turkey’s ISIS problem\|publisher=The Long War Journal\|accessdate=4 March 2015}}</ref> The officials discussed a ] operation that would lead to an invasion of Syria. YouTube was subsequently blocked in Turkey.

	A vote in the ] was scheduled for October 1, 2014 on whether or not to invade Syria as part of the war on ISIL.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/29/turkey-role-fight-islamic-state-isis\|title=Turkey prepares for bigger role in fight against Islamic State\|work=the Guardian\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> while preparations for a possible invasion were made.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-tanks-take-up-position-on-syrian-border-next-to-besieged-kurdish-town.aspx?pageID=238&nID=72319&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkish tanks take up position on Syrian border next to besieged Kurdish town\|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> It was later delayed a day.

	The ''de facto'' "declaration of war" is to take the form of two separate motions—one on Iraq and one on Syria, which would authorize Turkish troops to invade those countries.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_syria-and-iraq-motions-expected-to-come-to-parliament-on-tuesday_360234.html\|title=Syria and Iraq motions expected to come to Parliament on Tuesday\|work=Today's Zaman\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> the opposition said they hadn't been able to read either motion, as the exact text had been delayed.

	Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said that the gist of the resolutions was to extend the current mandate for "hot pursuit" against the PKK and Syrian Army into Syria and Iraq, which was to end the second week in October, and to add ISIS to the list and set up a buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2014/09/29/turkey-to-give-army-greater-crossborder-authorization\|title=Turkey to give army greater cross-border authorization - Politics - Daily Sabah\|work=dailysabah.com\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

	President ] opened the parliamentary session by saying that Turkey would fight against so called Islamic State and other "terrorist" groups in the region but it would stick to its aim of seeing ] removed from power.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Turkey-to-fight-Islamic-State-Erdogan-says-377766\|title=Turkey to fight Islamic State, Erdogan says\|publisher=\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

	After two days of heated debate, the motion passed 298-98,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2014/10/02/turkish-parliament-votes-for-crossborder-troop-mandate\|title=Parliament passes mandate to send troops into Iraq and Syria - Politics - Daily Sabah\|work=dailysabah.com\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>

	=== 2015 invasion plans ===
	With the governing party losing its majority in the ], rumors began to circulate that ] would order an invasion of Syria to prevent the creation of a Kurdish state straddling northern Syria and Iraq.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-will-never-allow-kurdish-state-syria-erdogan-682463351\|title=Turkey will 'never allow' Kurdish state in Syria: Erdogan\|work=Middle East Eye\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref>

	On June 26, Erdogan said he would "never allow the establishment of a Kurdish state in northern Syria".<ref name="econ,Jul15">{{cite web\|url=https://web.archive.org/http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21656692-turkey-and-jordan-are-considering-setting-up-buffer-zones-war-scorched\|title=Drawing in the neighbours \| The Economist\|publisher=web.archive.org\|date=4 July 2015\|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref>
	By the end of June, a number of Turkish newspapers reported that Ankara was considering a ground operation to establish a buffer zone in Northern Syria to prevent Syrian Kurds from declaring an independent state,<ref name="businessinsider">{{cite web\|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-is-mulling-a-serious-military-intervention-in-southern-syria-2015-6\|title=Jordan is mulling a significant military intervention in southern Syria \|publisher=businessinsider.com\|date=29 June 2015\|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> a zone 110 km long and 33 km deep along the Turkish border.<ref name="econ,Jul15"/>

	The military demanded legal backing for such a move,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_army-asks-govt-to-work-out-political-and-diplomatic-avenues-before-syria-incursion_392191.html\|title=Army asks gov’t to work out political and diplomatic avenues before Syria incursion\|date=28 June 2015\|work=Today's Zaman\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-foreign-minister-possible-syria-operations-to-be-announced-after-mgk-meeting.aspx?PageID=238&NID=84676&NewsCatID=510\|title=Turkish Foreign Minister: Possible Syria operations to be announced after MGK meeting - DIPLOMACY\|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref> and on 29 June 2015, Erdoğan chaired a meeting of the National Security Council to provide just that.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/anasayfa_turkeys-security-council-convenes-amid-talk-of-syria-invasion_392284.html\|title=Turkey’s security council convenes amid talk of Syria invasion\|date=29 June 2015\|work=Today's Zaman\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref>

	Leaked plans stated that, sometime during the first couple of weeks of July, up to 18 thousand troops would invade Syria via the Jarablus and Aazaz border crossings, areas in the hands of ISIL and the Free Syrian Army, respectively, and set up a buffer zone to which refugees could be repatriated.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.neurope.eu/article/turkey-believed-to-invade-syria-within-the-week/\|title=Turkey believed to invade Syria within the week - New Europe\|work=New Europe\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref>

	Limiting intervention to airstrikes has also been discussed.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-mulls-bombing-isil-without-sending-troops-to-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=84696&NewsCatID=338\|title=Turkey mulls bombing ISIL without sending troops to Syria\|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref> The idea of going into Syria proved extremely unpopular with most sections of Turkish society, dissuading the government from invading.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Jun-30/304476-turkey-seeks-to-calm-speculation-over-syria-invasion.ashx\|title=Turkey seeks to calm speculation over Syria invasion\|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon\|accessdate=22 July 2015}}</ref>

	=== 2016 military intervention ===
	{{further information\|Turkish military intervention in Syria}}

	In the wake of the major military advances that Syrian government forces and ] made against jihadists during the ], Ankara called for a safe zone and "]", "free from clashes", in northern ].<ref name="dw.com">{{cite news\|url=http://www.dw.com/en/turkey-proposes-secure-strip-inside-syria-to-protect-border-and-refugees/a-19053732\|title=Turkey proposes 'secure strip' inside Syria to protect border and refugees\|publisher=dw}}</ref> The proposal did not garner any real support from Washington or NATO allies who fear it would require an internationally patrolled no-fly zone and potentially put them in direct confrontation with Assad and his allies. Only, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, that such a "safe zone" would be "helpful in the current situation."<ref name="dw.com"/> Russia with dominance over Syria's skies, come out against the idea and, also, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said: "This is not Merkel's initiative, this is a Turkish initiative." In addition, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that any decision to create a no-fly zone over Syria cannot be made without the approval of the government in Damascus as well as the UN Security Council.<ref name="dw.com"/>

	On February 2016 Turkey and Saudi Arabia were pressing for ground operations in Syria, hoping for the involvement of the U.S. and the other allies.<ref name="usnews">{{cite news\|url=http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2016-02-16/syrian-troops-kurdish-forces-make-gains-in-countrys-north\|title=Turkey is pressing for ground operations in Syria, hoping for the involvement of the US and other allies\|publisher=usnews}}</ref> Hezbollah said Turkey and Saudi Arabia were using the Islamic State group as a "pretext" to launch a ground operation in Syria.<ref name="abcnews">{{cite news\|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-russia-denies-warplanes-hit-syria-hospital-36966872\|title=The Latest: Hezbollah Leader Slams Turkey, Saudi Arabia\|publisher=abcnews}}</ref>

	On 22 August 2016, Turkey fired artillery at ISIS in Jarablus, and it also shelled YPG fighters north of Manbij.<ref name="edition.cnn.com">{{cite web\|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/24/middleeast/turkish-troops-isis-syria-operation/\|title=Turkey sends tanks into Syria to battle ISIS\|work=cnn\|date=24 August 2016}}</ref> A spokesperson for the Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said: “The Turkish state officially supports Daesh (ISIS) and bombs the positions of the ] and its countryside in the northern axis of the defense positions at ],”<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/356843-turkey-shell-isis-kurds/\|title=Turkey shells ISIS & Kurdish positions in Syria\|work=rt\|date=23 August 2016}}</ref> The SDF is dominated by the ] (PYD).<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2016/8/23/turkey-shells-is-kurdish-positions-in-northern-syria\|title=Turkey shells IS, Kurdish positions in northern Syria\|work=alaraby\|date=23 August 2016}}</ref>

	On 24 August 2016, the Turkish armed forces, supported by the U.S., began a declared ] into Syria.

	On 24 August 2016, after 2 days of artillery bombardment<ref name="edition.cnn.com"/> and airstrikes, the ] launched an attack on the ISIL-held town of ], followed by hundreds of FSA fighters.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20160824-turkey-us-led-forces-launch-joint-operation-northern-syria\|title=Turkey, US-led coalition launch major operation in northern Syria\|work=france24\|date=24 August 2016}}</ref> They backed by planes from the U.S.-led coalition, launched their first co-ordinated offensive into Syria.<ref name="reuters.com">{{cite web\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-idUSKCN10Z07J\|title=Turkish tanks, special forces launch first major push into Syria to battle IS\|work=Reuters\|date=24 August 2016}}</ref> Turkey′s president ] said on the first day of the operation, called Euphrates Shield, that it was aimed against both the ISIL and ] (YPG), a major component of the SDF, allegedly both ″terror groups that threaten our country in northern Syria″.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20160824-erdogan-says-syria-operation-aimed-jihadists-kurdish-pyd\|title=Erdogan says Syria operation aimed at IS jihadists, Kurdish PYD\|date=24 August 2016\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-army-backed-rebels-advance-inside-syria-on-isil.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103174&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkish army-backed rebels advance inside Syria on ISIL - MIDEAST\|publisher=}}</ref> The immediate goal of the invasion was the capture of the Syrian town of ] from the ISIL, which was accomplished on the first day of the operation. The SDF managed to take the town of Amarinah from the FSA after a brief firefight.<ref name="reuters.com"/><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-backed-rebels-fight-us-backed-rebels-aleppo/\|title=Turkish-backed rebels fight US-backed rebels in Aleppo\|first=Izat\|last=Charkatli\|date=24 August 2016\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/24/turkey-launches-major-operation-against-isis-in-key-border-town\|title=Turkey sends tanks into Syria in operation aimed at Isis and Kurds \|work=theguardian\|date=24 August 2016}}</ref> It was the first time Turkish warplanes have struck in Syria since November 2015, when Turkey downed the Russian warplane, and the first significant incursion by Turkish special forces since a brief operation to relocate the tomb of Suleyman Shah, in February 2015.<ref name="reuters.com"/>

	Turkey shelled Syrian Kurdish forces in the region during all the week before the attack, determined not to let them fill the vacuum if ISIS leaves.<ref name="auto8">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37171995\|title=Turkey sends tanks into northern Syria\|work=bbc\|date=24 August 2016}}</ref>

	Turkey said the operation was an act of self-defence, in response to Isis shelling of Turkish border towns and suicide bombings and attacks targeting Turkish nationals.<ref name="reuters.com"/> Also, the Turkish foreign minister, ], said that YPG (Kurds) should return east of Syria's Euphrates River. Both Manbij and Jarablus are west of the river.<ref name="edition.cnn.com"/>

	Syrian Kurdish forces said that the Turkish operation is motivated more by the desire to stop their advance at Jarablus than by anti-IS sentiment.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dw.com/en/turkeys-syria-offensive-aimed-at-kurdish-ypg/a-19497653\|title=Turkey's Syria offensive aimed at Kurdish YPG\|date=24 August 2016\|accessdate=24 August 2016}}</ref>

	On 29 November, ], the ] of the ], said that the Turkish military launched its operations in Syria to end the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-entered-syria-to-end-al-assads-rule-president-erdogan.aspx?PageID=238&NID=106709&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkey entered Syria to end al-Assad’s rule: President Erdoğan\|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News\|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> Days later Erdogan sought to retract his statement; media observers attributed his outburst to frustration due to failure of his government's Syria policies.<ref name=dead-end>{{cite news\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/12/erdogan-syria-policy-turkey-dead-end-aleppo.html\|title=Erdogan’s Syria policy hits dead end in Aleppo\|publisher=Al-Monitor\|date=4 December 2016}}</ref>

	== Turkey and the U.S ==

	=== Incirlik Air Base ===

	On October 13, 2014 Turkey denied the United States to use ] for attacking ISIS militants in Syria.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/10/13/Turkey-approves-U-S-use-of-its-air-base-to-fight-ISIS-.html\|title=Turkey denies giving U.S. access to Incirlik airbase\|publisher=alarabiya}}</ref> The US has been frustrated that its efforts to build an international coalition to tackle Isis forces from the air have been partly hobbled by the difficulty of getting Turkey engaged.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/tensions-grow-between-ankara-and-washington-over-use-of-air-bases-for-attacks-9792248.html\|title=Isis air strikes: Tensions grow between Ankara and Washington over use of air bases for attacks\|publisher=independent}}</ref> Later, on July 23, 2015 after long negotiations with USA, Turkey has agreed to allow U.S. planes to launch air strikes against Islamic State militants. The U.S. officials declined to give details of the agreement with Turkey.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-airbase-idUSKCN0PX2B520150723\|title=Turkey lets U.S. strike Islamic State from Incirlik base: U.S.\|publisher=reuters}}</ref> On February 25, 2016, Saudi Arabian war planes began arriving at the base as part of an anti-Isis build-up being deployed over Syria. The Saudi deployment added to US, German and British aircraft already using the base.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/059d3690-dbb5-11e5-98fd-06d75973fe09.html#axzz43TPnYR00\|title=Saudi war planes begin arriving at Turkey’s Incirlik air base\|publisher=ft}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/partial-no-fly-zone-included-in-us-turkey-consensus-turkish-sources.aspx?PageID=238&NID=85850&NewsCatID=510\|title=Partial no-fly zone included in US-Turkey consensus: Turkish sources\|work=Hurriyet Daily News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/07/24/report-turkey-us-airbase-deal-envisages-syria-no-fly-zone/30621439/\|title=Report: Turkey-US Airbase Deal Envisages Syria No-Fly Zone\|work=Agence France-Presse\|date=24 July 2015}}</ref>

	On April 2 and 3, 2016, the families of U.S. troops and civilian personnel stationed at İncirlik Air Base left the base after an order by the Pentagon and the U.S. State Department to leave several areas of Turkey for their security.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/the-families-of-us-personnel-left-incirlik-airbase-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97326&NewsCatID=341\|title=The families of US personnel left İncirlik airbase\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	On August 2016, four Danish F-16 fighter jets have entered combat in Syria for the first time, hitting targets in Raqqa. The four jets, which have been stationed at the İncirlik airbase since June 17, 2016, have been flying surveillance and reconnaissance missions over Syria with combat missions limited to Iraq until then.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/danish-jets-stationed-at-turkeys-incirlik-bomb-isil-for-the-first-time.aspx?pageID=238&nID=102549&NewsCatID=352\|title=Danish jets stationed at Turkey's İncirlik bomb ISIL for the first time\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	=== United States role in Syrian Civil War ===

	In May 2016 Turkish Foreign Minister ] was very angry because of some photos which showed US special forces in Syria wearing insignia of Kurdish militia (patch of the YPJ), during joint operations against Islamic State (IS). He called the US "two-faced" and said the practice was "unacceptable". Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said it is common for US soldiers to attempt to blend in with local partners.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36396248\|title=Syria war: Turkey anger over US commando photos\|publisher=bbc}}</ref>

	According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Turkey has proposed to USA a detailed plan for joint military operation against jihadists inside Syria with the Americans and other allied troops. But U.S. officials denied it and said that Turkey had not offered a detailed plan but only a few basic concepts which involved joint efforts only to support non-Kurdish forces.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-wants-ops-with-us-in-syria-no-plan-yet.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99871&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkey wants ops with US in Syria, no plan yet\|publisher=hurriyetdailynews}}</ref>

	== Turkey and the Russian Federation ==
	{{Main article\|Russo-Turkish confrontation in Syria}}

	The Turco-Russian confrontation took place between Turkey and, initially, the Syrian government which turned into a military crisis between Turkey and ] after the November 2015 shoot-down of a ] ] by the ] after an alleged airspace violation. Increased Russian military intervention on behalf the Syrian Government and hostile Turkish territorial responses have all contributed to increasing escalation. Aerial confrontations between two nations have grown more common. ] accuses ] of violating Turkish sovereign airspace and ]s against ]s.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkmens-escape-to-turkey-from-russian-al-assad-fire-in-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=94550&NewsCatID=352\|title=MIDEAST - Turkmens escape to Turkey from Russian, al-Assad fire in Syria\|publisher=}}</ref> The Russian military has accused Turkey of illegal economic ties with ] and planning a ] in ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/641206/Turkey-Russia-dispute-Kremlin-accuses-Ankara-planning-ground-invasion-Syria\|title=End of ISIS? Turkey plans ground invasion of Syria as SAUDI ARABIA offers ground troops\|first=Tom\|last=Batchelor\|date=5 February 2016\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>http://www.wdsu.com/national/russian-aggression-criticized-amid-syria-talks/37773120</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/31/c_135060254.htm\|title=Turkish air forces on alert after alleged airspace violation by Russian warplane - Xinhua - English.news.cn\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idUSKCN0VC169\|title=Russia and Turkey trade accusations over Syria\|date=5 February 2016\|publisher=\|via=Reuters}}</ref>

	On 22 February 2016, U.S. and Russia announced a deal for a truce to take effect in Syria on 27 February, referred to as “]”. On 24 February, Turkish president, Erdoğan, during a speech said that “The PYD and the YPG need to be out of the scope of the cease-fire, just like Daesh (ISIL) is.”<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

	On February 25, Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said that Turkey would not comply with the truce: "This deal is not binding for us when a party is of threat to Turkey, when Turkey’s security is at stake".<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-pm-turkey-will-not-comply-with-syrian-cease-fire-if-under-threat-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95677&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkish PM: Turkey will not comply with Syrian cease-fire if under threat\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	=== November 2015 Turkish shootdown of Russian Su-24 ===
	{{Main article\|2015 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 shootdown}}

	Turkish F-16s shoot down a Russian Su-24 operating in Northern Latakia. Both occupants ejected successfully. The pilot was shot and killed by Syrian Turkmen rebel ground fire while descending by parachute.<ref name="National Post">{{cite news\|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/turkey-blasts-russian-warplane-out-of-the-sky-says-jet-violated-its-airspace-pilots-fate-unclear\|title=Syrian rebels fired on parachuting Russian pilots, killing at least one after Turkey shot down warplane: official\|newspaper=]\|date=25 November 2015\|accessdate=25 November 2015}}</ref> The weapon systems officer was rescued two days later.<ref name="weapon">{{cite news\|last1=MacFarquhar\|first1=Neil\|title=Navigator Rescued After Turkey Shot Down Warplane, Russia Says\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/26/world/europe/turkey-russia-jet.html\|accessdate=25 November 2015\|work=]\|date=25 November 2015}}</ref> A Russian naval infantryman from the search-and-rescue team launched to retrieve the two airmen was also killed when a rescue helicopter was shot down by the rebels.

	=== Turkey and ] ===

	On December 2015, Turkey rejected to join the anti-ISIL quartet of Syria, Iran, Iraq and Russia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that he rejected it due to the presence of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad.<ref name="Hurriyet">{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-rejected-joining-anti-isil-quartet-in-baghdad-due-to-assad-says-erdogan.aspx?PageID=238&NID=93085&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkey rejected joining anti-ISIL quartet in Baghdad due to Assad, says Erdoğan\|publisher=Hurriyet}}</ref>

	During an ] (ISSG) meeting in Vienna on May 17, 2016, Turkish Foreign Minister ] told his Russian counterpart ] that if Moscow has any evidence that shows Turkey helping the ISIL then he would resign.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/i-will-resign-if-evidence-of-link-between-turkey-isil-emerges-turkish-fm.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99325&NewsCatID=510\|title=I will resign if evidence of link between Turkey, ISIL emerges: Turkish FM\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	Russian General Staff Lt. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy told journalists that ] is receiving daily arms shipments across the border from Turkey and that Al-Nusra Front remains a major destabilizing factor in Syria. He also added that Al-Nusra Front often attack the Syrian Government forces despite the cease-fire and that the attacks are confirmed by other nations as well.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/344577-nusra-weapons-supplies-turkey/\|title=Al-Nusra Front in Syria gets daily weapons supplies from Turkey - Russian military\|publisher=rt}}</ref>

	On 13 March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia has evidence of Turkey's "creeping expansion" in northern Syria. He accused Turkey of fortifying positions hundreds of metres from the border, inside Syria and also sending its military across the Syrian border for Operation Against Kurds and to prevent Kurdish groups there from consolidating their positions.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkey-declares-24-hour-curfew-kurdish-town-37612064\|title=Russia: Turkish Troops in Syria for Operation Against Kurds\|publisher=abcnews}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Lavrov-Russia-has-evidence-Turkish-troops-on-Syrian-territory-447759\|title=Lavrov: Russia has evidence Turkish troops on Syrian territory\|publisher=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Turkey denied the Russian claims.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-military-denies-russian-claims-of-turkish-deployment-inside-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96459&NewsCatID=352\|title=Turkish military denies Russian claims of Turkish deployment inside Syria\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	On 18 March, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin sent a letter to the UN Security Council saying that three Turkish humanitarian organizations (NGOs) sent weapons and supplies to extremists in Syria on behalf of Turkey's MIT intelligence agency. The three NGOs were the Besar Foundation, the Iyilikder Foundation and the ].<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dw.com/en/russia-claims-turkish-ngos-are-main-supplier-of-extremists-in-syria/a-19159685\|title=Russia claims Turkish NGOs are 'main supplier' of extremists in Syria\|publisher=dw}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/338038-isis-weapons-turkey-churkin/\|title=Turkey is key supplier of weapons, military hardware to ISIS - Russian envoy to UN\|publisher=rt}}</ref>

	=== Russo Turkish Regularization of Diplomatic Ties ===

	On 26 June 2016 ] ] writes ] ] to offer condolences to the family of the deceased Russian pilot of the ] warplane shot down last November. The Kremlin has insisted on a personal apology for months. A Turkish spokesman says this is a step toward improving bilateral relations between the two countries.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/>

	On 1 July 2016, Turkish and Russian foreign ministers said that the two countries will “coordinate” their policies over Syria.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/01/russia-and-turkey-to-coordinate-syria-policy/\|title=Russia and Turkey to 'coordinate' Syria policy\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref>

	On 14 July 2016, Turkish Prime Minister ] has said that al-Assad must go before any change in Turkey’s stance regarding Syria. He added that between al-Assad or ISIL, Turkey cannot choose either of them and that the main reason things have come to this point is because of al-Assad.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101580&NewsCatID=510\|title=Turkish PM says Assad must go before any change in Turkey’s stance - DIPLOMACY\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref>

	== Refugees ==
	{{main article\|Refugees of the Syrian Civil War}}

	Satellite images confirmed that the first Syrian camps appeared in Turkey in July 2011, shortly after the towns of Deraa, Homs and Hama were besieged.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.astrium-geo.com/en/4807-syrian-refugee-camps-in-turkish-territory-interactive-web-report\|title=Syrian refugee camps in Turkish territory tracked by satellite\|publisher=\|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref> By June 2013, Turkey has accepted 400,000 Syrian refugees, half of whom are spread around a dozen camps placed under the direct authority of the Turkish Government.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Escape to Uncertainty \|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/130607-refugee-crisis-war-migration-turkey-syria-afghanistan-iran-chechnya-gay/\|work=National Geographic\|date=7 June 2013}}</ref> In 2014, the number swelled over a million, as some 200-300,000 Syrian Kurds streamed into Turkey in September alone, upon the ].

	The population of Syrian refugees in Turkey has 30 percent in 22 government-run camps near the Syrian-Turkish border.<ref name=syrianrefugees.eu>{{cite web\|url=http://syrianrefugees.eu/?page_id=80\|title=Turkey - Syrian Refugees\|publisher=\|accessdate=4 March 2015}}</ref> The rest do their best to make ends meet in communities across the country.

	Turkey has accepted over 2.7 million ] since the beginning of the ].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Syria Regional Refugee Response: Turkey\|url=http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/country.php?id=224\|publisher=UNHCR\|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> Turkey has accommodated most of its Syrian refugees in tent cities administered by the country's emergency management agency.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Escape to Uncertainty\|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/130607-refugee-crisis-war-migration-turkey-syria-afghanistan-iran-chechnya-gay/\|work=National Geographic\|date=7 June 2013}}</ref>

	== Related criticism of Turkey ==

	=== Criticism of Turkish support for jihadists, including ISIL, and of targeting Kurds ===

	Turkey has been accused of supporting or colluding with ISIL, especially by Syrian Kurds.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Zaman\|first1=Amberin\|title=Syrian Kurds continue to blame Turkey for backing ISIS militants\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/ru/originals/2014/06/zaman-syria-kurds-rojava-ypg-muslim-pyd-pkk-turkey-isis.html#\|agency=]\|date=10 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Wilgenburg\|first1=Wladimir van\|title=Kurdish security chief: Turkey must end support for jihadists\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/08/syria-kurd-pyd-asayish-isis-turkey-islamic-state.html#\|agency=]\|date=6 August 2014}}</ref> Syrian Kurds and the Turkey's main Kurdish party, ], accused Turkey of allowing ISIL soldiers to cross its border and attack the Kurdish town of ]. They also claimed that Islamic State snipers were hiding among grain depots on the Turkish side of the border and firing on the town.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11699969/Turkey-accused-of-alowing-Islamic-State-fighters-to-cross-its-border-in-Kobane-attack.html\|title=Turkey accused of allowing Islamic State fighters to cross its border in Kobane attack\|author= Richard Spencer\|publisher=The Telegraph\|date=2015-06-25}}</ref><ref name="The Telegraph">{{cite news\|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11262748/Kobane-attackers-came-from-Turkey-claims-Turkeys-main-Kurdish-party.html\|title=Kobane attackers came from Turkey, claims Turkey's main Kurdish party\|publisher=The Telegraph\|date=2015-11-29}}</ref>
	In addition. the ] said that the vehicle which is used in a car bombing attack at Kobanî had come from Turkey.<ref name="The Telegraph"/> According to journalist ], there is "strong evidence for a degree of collaboration" between the ] and ISIL, although the "exact nature of the relationship ... remains cloudy".<ref>{{cite journal\|last1=Cockburn\|first1=Patrick\|authorlink1=Patrick Cockburn\|title=Whose side is Turkey on?\|journal=]\|date=6 November 2014\|volume=36\|issue=21\|pages=8–10\|url=http://www.lrb.co.uk/v36/n21/patrick-cockburn/whose-side-is-turkey-on}}</ref> David L. Phillips of ]'s Institute for the Study of Human Rights, who compiled a list of allegations and claims accusing Turkey of assisting ISIL, writes that these allegations "range from military cooperation and weapons transfers to logistical support, financial assistance, and the provision of medical services".<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Phillips\|first1=David L.\|title=Research Paper: ISIS-Turkey List\|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-l-phillips/research-paper-isis-turke_b_6128950.html\|work=]\|date=9 November 2014}}</ref> Several ISIL fighters and commanders have claimed Turkey supports ISIL.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Guiton\|first1=Barney\|title=‘ISIS Sees Turkey as Its Ally': Former Islamic State Member Reveals Turkish Army Cooperation\|url=http://www.newsweek.com/isis-and-turkey-cooperate-destroy-kurds-former-isis-member-reveals-turkish-282920\|work=]\|date=7 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Ben-Solomon\|first1=Ariel\|title=Islamic State fighter: 'Turkey paved the way for us'\|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Islamic-State-fighter-Turkey-paved-the-way-for-us-369443\|work=]\|date=30 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=Faiola />
	A former ISIS member mentioned that the ISIS groups were essentially given free rein by Turkey's army. He said: "ISIS commanders told us to fear nothing at all because there was full cooperation with the Turks,". "ISIS saw the Turkish army as its ally especially when it came to attacking the Kurds in Syria."<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/links-between-turkey-and-isis-are-now-undeniable-2015-7\|title=Senior Western official: Links between Turkey and ISIS are now 'undeniable'\|publisher=Business Insider\|accessdate=28 July 2015}}</ref> Within Turkey itself, ISIL is believed to have caused increasing political polarisation between secularists and Islamists.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20150104175714.htm\|title=ISIS Has Polarized Turkey Domestically\|author=Lauren Williams\|publisher=Daily Star, Lebanon\|date=2015-01-04}}</ref> A video taken in October 2014 shows Turkish soldiers fraternising with Isis fighters near Kobane.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/isis-fighters-seen-fraternising-turkish-soldiers-near-kobani-border-video-612629\|title=ISIS Fighters Seen Mingling with Turkish Soldiers Near Kobani Border \|publisher= International Business Times\|date=2014-10-30}}</ref> Turkish security forces dispersed Kurds who had gathered at the Turkish border with Syria to cross into Syria and fight with Kurdish militants against ISIS.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/sep/21/kurds-volunteering-fight-isis-turned-away-turkish-border-video\|title=Kurds volunteering to fight Isis turned away at Turkish border - video\|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref> ] ] a photograph which he claimed that it shows a Turkish soldier talking friendly with an ISIS anti-aircraft unit.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://twitter.com/olivernorthfnc/status/520664937455038464\|title=A Turkish soldier "visiting" an ISIS anti-aircraft unit at Kobani. They look way too friendly.}}</ref>

	In addition, Kurds accuse Turkey of using the US-led coalition against IS as a cover to attack the Kurdish PKK in both Turkey and Iraq, and now against the YPG in northern Syria. The Kurds say that Turkey 's bombardment of their positions is helping IS to attack Kurdish-held frontline areas in Syria and Iraq. IS militants attacked Syrian Kurdish villages south of Kobane a day after Turkey began shelling the YPG.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33690060\|title=Turkey v Syria's Kurds v Islamic State\|publisher=bbc}}</ref>

	Also, authorities in Turkey have confirmed social media reports that an injured ISIL commander is being treated in a Denizli hospital, saying the militant has every right to receive medical care as he is a Turkish citizen.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://rt.com/news/238713-isis-commander-turkey-hospital/\|title=ISIS commander treated in Turkish hospital ‘like all other citizens’\|publisher=\|accessdate=29 May 2015}}</ref>

	Turkey has been further criticized for allowing individuals from outside the region to enter its territory and join ISIL in Syria.<ref>{{cite news\|last1=Tattersall\|first1=Nick\|last2=Karouny\|first2=Mariam\|title=Turkey's 'Open Border' Policy With Syria Has Backfired As ISIS Recruitment Continues\|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/r-turkey-struggles-as-lone-gatekeeper-against-islamic-state-recruitment-2014-8\|work=]\|date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|last1=Schanzer\|first1=Jonathan\|authorlink1=Jonathan Schanzer\|title=Boosting Turkey as it backs terror\|url=http://nypost.com/2014/09/25/boosting-turkey-as-it-backs-terror/\|work=]\|date=25 September 2014}}</ref> With many Islamist fighters passing through Turkey to fight in Syria, Turkey has been accused of becoming a transit country for such fighters and has been labeled the "Gateway to Jihad".<ref name=dailymail>{{cite news\|last1=Greenhill\|first1=Sam\|title=How seven radicalised young Britons a week are taking the Gateway to Jihad\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2734239/How-seven-radicalised-young-Britons-week-taking-Gateway-Jihad.html\|work=]\|date=25 August 2014}}</ref> Turkish border patrol officers are reported to have deliberately overlooked those entering Syria upon the payment of a small bribe.<ref name=dailymail /> A report by ] exposed documents showing that passports of foreign Islamists wanting to join ISIL by crossing into Syria had been stamped by the Turkish government.<ref>{{cite news\|title=New report further exposes Turkey links to ISIL militants \|url=http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/10/21/383033/new-report-shows-turkeyisil-links/ \|agency=] \|date=21 October 2014 \|deadurl=yes \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111061745/http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/10/21/383033/new-report-shows-turkeyisil-links/ \|archivedate=November 11, 2014 }}</ref> American website '']'' stated in June 2014 that Turkey, during the ], by "ignoring its own border security", had allowed its Syrian border to become a "jihadist highway" for ] to let thousands of international jihadists, and other supplies, reach Syria.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/06/gursel-al-qaeda-isis-turkey-mosul-iraq-syria-consulate.html\|title=Turkey paying price for jihadist highway on border\|date=13 June 2014\|work=Al-Monitor\|accessdate=20 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/06/turkey-isis-border-close.html\|title=Turkey should close its border to ISIS\|date=14 June 2014\|work=Al-Monitor\|accessdate=20 September 2015}}</ref> British newspaper '']'' stated that Turkey late 2014 "for many months did little to stop foreign recruits crossing its border to Isis".<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/us-deal-turkey-isis-incirlik-airbase-erdogan-obama\|title=US deal with Turkey over Isis may go beyond simple use of an airbase\|date=24 July 2015\|accessdate=18 September 2015\|author=Simon Tisdall\|work=the Guardian}}</ref> An ISIL commander stated that "most of the fighters who joined us in the beginning of the war came via Turkey, and so did our equipment and supplies",<ref name=Faiola>{{cite news\|last1=Faiola\|first1=Anthony\|last2=Mekhennet\|first2=Souad\|title=In Turkey, a late crackdown on Islamist fighters\|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/how-turkey-became-the-shopping-mall-for-the-islamic-state/2014/08/12/5eff70bf-a38a-4334-9aa9-ae3fc1714c4b_story.html\|work=]\|date=12 August 2014}}</ref> adding that ISIL fighters received treatment in Turkish hospitals.<ref name=Faiola /> After the ], President Barack Obama administration told the Turkish government to close its borders to ISIS fighters. A USA senior official said in the Wall Street Journal "The game has changed. Enough is enough. The border needs to be sealed,” “This is an international threat, and it’s coming out of Syria and it’s coming through Turkish territory.”.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/war-with-isis-president-obama-demands-that-turkey-close-stretch-of-frontier-with-syria-a6753836.html\|title=War with Isis: Obama demands Turkey closes stretch of border with Syria\|publisher=independent}}</ref>

	Turkey has openly supported jihadi groups, such as ], which espouses much of ]’s ideology, and ], which is proscribed as a terror organisation by much of the US and Europe.<ref name="the guardian">{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/26/isis-syria-turkey-us?CMP=share_btn_tw\|title=Turkey sends in jets as Syria’s agony spills over every border\|publisher=the guardian}}</ref>

	Turkey reported that between 1957 and 1998, Turkish forces laid 615,419 antipersonnel mines along the Syrian border “to prevent illegal border crossings,” These mines are killing Syrians stuck on the border or trying to cross near Kobani. Turkey is required under the ], to destroy all antipersonnel mines, but has missed deadlines. Human Rights Watch claims in its report that as of November 18 over 2,000 civilians were still in the Tel Shair corridor section of the mine belt due to the fact that Turkey had been refusing entry for cars or livestock, and the refugees did not want to leave behind their belongings.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_hrw-turkish-landmines-killing-syrian-civilians-fleeing-kobani_365916.html\|title=HRW: Turkish landmines killing Syrian civilians fleeing Kobani \|website=Today's Zaman\|publisher=Today's Zaman\|accessdate=3 December 2014}}</ref>

	Russia told that for a long time has been aware of oil going from Syria under the control of terrorists to Turkey. The money finances terrorist groups. ] said that “IS has big money, hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars, from selling oil. In addition they are protected by the military of an entire nation. One can understand why they are acting so boldly and blatantly. Why they kill people in such atrocious ways. Why they commit terrorist acts across the world, including in the heart of Europe,”.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/323262-putin-downing-plane-syria/\|title=Putin: Downing of Russian jet over Syria stab in the back by terrorist accomplices\|work=RT International}}</ref> Also, Western intelligence officials said that they can track the ISIS oil shipments as they move across Iraq and into Turkey’s southern border regions.<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite news\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/world/middleeast/struggling-to-starve-isis-of-oil-revenue-us-seeks-assistance-from-turkey.html?_r=0\|title=Struggling to Starve ISIS of Oil Revenue, U.S. Seeks Assistance From Turkey\|website=The New York Times\|publisher=The New York Times\|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref> The ] administration was struggling to cut off the millions of dollars in oil revenue that has made the ISIS, but they were unable to persuade Turkey.<ref name="The New York Times"/> In addition, the former Iraqi member of Parliament ] has accused Turkey of turning a blind eye to the black market ISIS oil trade. He said that there is “no shadow of a doubt” that the Turkish government knows about the oil smuggling operations. “The merchants, the businessmen in the black market in Turkey under the noses – under the auspices if you like – of the Turkish intelligence agency and the Turkish security apparatus.”<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/30/l-todd-wood-iraq-turkey-buying-isis-oil/\|title=Turkey buying ISIS oil\|website=The Washington Times\|publisher=The Washington Times\|accessdate=30 November 2015}}</ref> In June 2014, a member of Turkey's parliamentary opposition, Ali Edibogluan, claimed that IS had smuggled $800 million worth of oil into Turkey from Syria and Iraq.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-01/is-turkey-is-buying-oil-smuggled-by-islamic-state/6991526\|title=Is Turkey buying oil smuggled by Islamic State?\|website=ABC news Australia\|publisher=ABC news Australia\|accessdate=7 December 2015}}</ref> Sadik Al Hiseni, the head of the security committee in the city of Diyala in Iraq, says they have arrested several Turkish tankers trying to take ISIS oil out of the province of Salahuddin.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://kurdishdailynews.org/2015/03/19/turkish-trucks-carrying-isis-oil-captured-in-iraq/\|title=Turkish trucks carrying ISIS oil captured in Iraq\|website=kurdish daily news\|publisher=kurdish daily news\|accessdate=19 March 2015}}</ref>

	], also, accused the Turkish government that it is purposely leading the country toward Islamization.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151125/1030714149/russia-syria-putin-24-.html\|title=After Su-24 Downing 'We Cannot Rule Out Possibility of Other Incidents'\|author=Sputnik\|date=25 November 2015\|publisher=}}</ref> Russian Prime Minister ] said “Turkey’s actions are de facto protection of Islamic State,” Medvedev said, calling the group formerly known as ISIS by its new name. “This is no surprise, considering the information we have about direct financial interest of some Turkish officials relating to the supply of oil products refined by plants controlled by ISIS.”<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/323373-ankara-defends-isis-medvedev/\|title=Ankara defends ISIS, Turkish officials have financial interest in oil trade with group - PM Medvedev\|work=RT International}}</ref>

	Iraqi Prime Minister ] said that most of the oil produced in Islamic State-held territory in Iraq and Syria was being smuggled through Turkey.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-idUKKBN0TQ2A520151207\|title=Iraq PM says Turkey main conduit for Islamic State oil-smuggling\|work=reuters}}</ref> He also mentioned that he sees no evidence that Turkey wants to fight ISIS.<ref name="cnbc">{{cite web\|url=http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/21/no-evidence-turkey-wants-to-fight-isis-iraq-pm.html\|title=No evidence Turkey wants to fight ISIS: Iraq PM\|work=cnbc}}</ref> In addition he told that Turkey wants to revive the ].<ref name="cnbc"/>

	Sadi Pria, a top Iraqi Kurdish official in ] said: "Turkey shamelessly and openly backs IS and al-Qaeda terrorists against Kurdish freedom fighters,".<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33690060\|title=Turkey v Syria's Kurds v Islamic State\|work=bbc}}</ref>

	Israel's defence minister, ], has accused Turkey of buying oil from the ISIS and funds ISIS militants. He, also, said that Turkey had "permitted jihadists to move from Europe to Syria and Iraq and back".<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35415956\|title=Israeli defence minister accuses Turkey of buying IS oil\|publisher=BBC\|accessdate=26 January 2016}}</ref>

	The ], ], said that he was not optimistic that Turkey would do more in the fight against the Islamic State. “I think Turkey has other priorities and other interests.” He also cited public opinion polls in Turkey that show Turks do not see the Islamic State as a primary threat.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/world/europe/despite-crackdown-path-to-join-isis-often-winds-through-porous-turkish-border.html?_r=0\|title=A Path to ISIS, Through a Porous Turkish Border\|publisher=The New York Times\|accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref>

	Vice President of USA, ], during a speech at ] accused Turkey and the ] of funding, supplying and supporting ISIL.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11l8nLZNPSY\|title=Anyone but US! Biden blames allies for ISIS rise \|publisher=RT\|accessdate=3 October 2014}}</ref> ],the Minister of Defense of Armenia, ], accused Turkey of supporting ISIS.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=073_1449086672\|title=DONALD TRUMP: TURKEY ‘LOOKS LIKE THEY’RE ON THE SIDE OF ISIS’\|publisher=liveleak}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://news.am/eng/news/302337.html\|title=Armenia defense minister accuses Turkey of supporting ISIS \|work=news.am}}</ref>

	A senior Jordanian security official accused Turkey of training ISIS fighters.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wnd.com/2014/10/turkey-accused-of-training-isis-soldiers/\|title=Turkey accused of training ISIS soldiers\|work=WND}}</ref>
	The King of Jordan, Abdullah, said that the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, “believes in a radical Islamic solution to the problems in the region” and the “fact that terrorists are going to Europe is part of Turkish policy, and Turkey keeps getting a slap on the hand, but they get off the hook”.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/25/sas-deployed-libya-start-year-leaked-memo-king-abdullah\|title=SAS deployed in Libya since start of year, says leaked memo \|work=the guardian}}</ref>

	Egypt has accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of being a supporter of terrorists who seek to "provoke chaos" in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/egypt-slams-turkeys-erdogan-terrorism-supporter-after-critical-un-speech-1467151\|title=Egypt Slams Turkey's Erdogan as 'Terrorism Supporter' After Critical UN Speech\|work=International Business Times}}</ref> Also, an Egyptian security official said that Turkey is providing direct support to ISIS and that Turkish intelligence is passing satellite imagery and other data to ISIS.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wnd.com/2014/10/turkey-providing-direct-support-to-isis/\|title=Turkey 'providing direct support' to ISIS\|work=WND}}</ref> Egypt, also, claimed that Turkey provided more than 10,000 passports to ISIS members to facilitate travel of its fighters across the region. Egypt official further charged that Istanbul is serving as the “headquarters” for ISIS planning.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wnd.com/2015/04/shock-claim-turkey-provided-10000-passports-to-isis/\|title=Shock claim: Turkey provided 10,000 passports to ISIS\|work=WND}}</ref>

	Cypriot Foreign Minister ], questioned Turkey’s determination to fight ISIS.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/cyprus-questions-turkeys-determination-fight-isis-312013\|title=questions Turkey’s determination to fight ISIS\|work=euractiv}}</ref>

	Eren Erdem, member of the main opposition at Turkey, ], accused the Turkish Government that it failed to investigate Turkish supply routes used to provide ISIL with toxic ] ingredients.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/325825-sarin-gas-syria-turkey/\|title=EXCLUSIVE: Sarin materials brought via Turkey & mixed in Syrian ISIS camps – Turkish MP to RT\|publisher= RT\|date=2015-12-14}}</ref> Because of this statement, he faces treason charges at Turkey.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/326084-erdem-rt-interview-treason/\|title=Turkish MP faces treason charges after telling RT ISIS used Turkey for transiting sarin\|publisher= RT\|date=2015-12-16}}</ref>

	], warned the Turkish government not to provide money and training to terror groups. He said, "It isn't right for armed groups to be trained on Turkish soil. You bring foreign fighters to Turkey, put money in their pockets, guns in their hands, and you ask them to kill Muslims in Syria. We told them to stop helping ISIS."<ref name="Research Paper: ISIS-Turkey List">{{cite news\|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-l-phillips/research-paper-isis-turke_b_6128950.html\|title=Research Paper: ISIS-Turkey List\|publisher=huffingtonpost}}</ref> He, also, said after the ] that the Turkish Government is "protecting" the ISIL and that "the police department knows all", “the only reason for not having security measures taken or for not having them detained is the absence of an instruction from the political authority to fulfill whatever was required. That’s to say, its protection of ISIL. This is not an observation, I’m saying this very openly and clearly,”.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chp-leader-accuses-govt-of-protecting-isil-laying-ground-for-ankara-massacre.aspx?pageID=238&nID=90099&NewsCatID=338\|title=CHP leader accuses gov’t of ‘protecting’ ISIL, laying ground for Ankara massacre\|publisher= hurriyet\|date=20 October 2015}}</ref> At 16 February 2016, Kılıçdaroğlu has repeated accusations that the Turkish government has sent arms to jihadist groups in Syria and built jihadist training camp in Turkey.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chp-head-again-accuses-turkish-govt-of-sending-arms-to-jihadists.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95291&NewsCatID=338\|title=CHP head again accuses Turkish gov’t of sending arms to jihadists\|publisher= hurriyet\|date=16 February 2016}}</ref>

	Russian anti-drug chief mentioned that ISIS is using Turkey for trafficking heroin to Europe. He, also, believes that ISIS makes about $1 billion from Afghan heroin trade.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/politics/326098-isis-uses-turkey-for-trafficking/\|title=ISIS uses Turkey for trafficking heroin to Europe – Russian anti-drugs chief\|publisher= RT\|date=2015-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/12/russia-warns-world-over-isis-heroin-trade/\|title=Russia Warns World Over ISIS Heroin Trade\|publisher= ValueWalk\|date=2015-12-16}}</ref>

	Turkey's state intelligence agency, ], has been accused that it helped deliver arms to parts of Syria under Islamist rebel control.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-arms-idUSKBN0O61L220150521\|title=Exclusive: Turkish intelligence helped ship arms to Syrian Islamist rebel areas\|publisher= REUTERS\|date=2015-05-21}}</ref> Turkish journalists who exposed it have charged with spying and “divulging state secrets” from the Turkish court.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/27/turkish-journalists-charged-over-claim-that-secret-services-armed-syrian-rebels\|title=Turkish journalists charged over claim that secret services armed Syrian rebels \|publisher=the guardian\|date=2015-11-27}}</ref><ref name="rt.com">{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/323899-turkey-officers-treason-arrests/\|title=Turkish officers arrested for ‘treason’ after intercepting weapons destined for Syria \|publisher= RT\|date=2015-11-30}}</ref> One of the journalists claimed:"Those who sent the convoy from Turkey knew that the weapons were “heading to end in ISIS hands".<ref name="rt.com"/> Also, Turkish officers, who intercepted some of the intelligence agency’s weapons-filled trucks have faced spying charges.<ref name="rt.com"/> In addition, Turkish newspaper, ], published a video footage which it said showed security forces discovering weapons parts being sent to Syria on trucks belonging to the MIT state intelligence agency.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-arms-idUSKBN0OE28T20150529\|title=Video purports to show Turkish intelligence shipping arms to Syria\|publisher= REUTERS\|date=2015-05-29}}</ref>

	Syria's president ] during an interview at 2015 mentioned that military and logistic support from Turkey was the key factor in ISIL takeover of ] (]), he also blamed Turkey for the failure of a humanitarian ceasefire plan in ]. He told that: "The Turks told the factions - the terrorists that they support and they supervise - to refuse to cooperate with ]".<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dw.com/en/assad-accuses-turkey-of-helping-terrorists-gain-ground-in-syria/a-18389840\|title=Assad accuses Turkey of helping 'terrorists' gain ground in Syriay\|publisher=Deutsche Welle\|date=2015-04-17}}</ref>

	Syria's antiquities chief has accused Turkey of refusing to return looted objects from ancient heritage sites in Syria or to provide information about them.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-antiquities-idUSKBN0TU19420151211\|title=Syrian antiquities chief says Turkey refuses to return looted art\|publisher= REUTERS\|date=2015-10-10}}</ref> Also, Turkey have been accused that she lets ISIL smuggles Syrian antiquities through her.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/2015/03/04/news/isil-smuggles-syrian-antiquities-through-turkey/\|title=ISIL smuggles Syrian antiquities through Turkey\|publisher=The Journal of Turkish Weekly\|date=2015-03-04}}</ref>

	In an official letter to UN, the Russian envoy Vitaly Churkin stated that antiquities from Syria and Iraq are exported to Turkey. The main center for the smuggling of cultural heritage items is the Turkish city of Gaziantep, where the stolen goods are sold at illegal auctions. According to the envoy, new smuggling hubs are popping up on the Turkish-Syrian border, with the “bulky goods” being delivered by the Turkish transport companies. Smuggled artifacts then arrive in the Turkish cities of Izmir, Mersin and Antalya, where representatives of international criminal groups produce fake documents on the origin of the antiquities.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/338705-turkey-syria-artifacts-trade-churkin/\|title=Turkey’s Gaziantep is main ISIS trade hub of antiques hauled in Syria & Iraq – Russian UN envoy \|publisher=rt\|date=2016-04-06}}</ref>

	According to ], ] (NDR) and ] (SWR) ISIS was selling women and children in Turkey. Also, ] (ARD) produced a footage documenting the slave trade being conducted by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Turkey. After these reports the Gaziantep Bar Association filed a criminal complaint against "Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and law-enforcement officers that have committed neglect of duty and misconduct by not taking required measures, and not carrying out preventive and required intelligence activities before the media covered the said incidents.".<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/7078/turkey-isis-slaves\|title=ISIS Selling Yazidi Women and Children in Turkey\|publisher=gatestone institute\|date=2015-12-20}}</ref>

	] accused Turkey that she is the main culprits in supporting the terrorist movements of ISIL.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.euronews.com/2015/12/15/iran-slams-turkey-s-role-in-anti-isil-alliance-as-hypocrisy/\|title=Iran slams Turkey’s role in anti-ISIL alliance as hypocrisy\|publisher=Euronews}}</ref>

	Katrin Kunert, a German Parliamentarian from the Green Party leaked a classified document which showed that Turkey was delivering arms to Syrian rebel groups.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/d/politics/2015/10/06/german-left-party-lawmaker-accused-of-leaking-classified-document-to-pkk-media\|title=German Left Party lawmaker accused of leaking classified document to PKK media\|publisher=dailysabah}}</ref>

	On July, 2016, a leaked confidential report produced by the German Interior Ministry accused Turkey of supporting terrorist groups across the Middle East including various Islamist groups fighting in Syria.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3743900/Turkey-supporting-terrorists-Islamist-groups-Syria-according-leaked-German-government-report.html\|title=Turkey IS supporting terrorists and Islamist groups in Syria according to leaked German government report\|publisher=dailymail}}</ref> The report showed that Germany sees Turkey as platform for Islamist groups in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-17/germany-sees-turkey-as-platform-for-islamist-groups-leak-shows\|title=Germany Sees Turkey as Platform for Islamist Groups, Leak Shows\|publisher=bloomberg}}</ref>

	] Chief, ], accused Turkey and Qatar for supporting ISIS.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Aug-14/267252-nasrallah-turkey-and-qatar-supporting-isis.ashx#axzz3AImleeCM\|title=Nasrallah: Turkey and Qatar supporting ISIS\|publisher=The Daily Star}}</ref>

	], justified the killing of ] and said that Jordan should have adopted a similar position with Turkey and not fight ISIS. “IS members are, in one way or another, considered Muslims and we must not stand with the enemies of ] against the people of Allah (the IS).” "It (Jordan) should have adopted a similar position to ].”<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Jordan-Muslim-Brotherhood-ISIS-pilot/2015/02/10/id/623890/\|title=Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood Won't Condemn ISIS' Murder of Pilot\|work=Newsmax\|accessdate=20 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Yoni Ben Menachem">{{cite web\|url= http://jcpa.org/muslim-brotherhood-refuses-to-condemn-islamic-state\|title= Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan Refuses to Condemn Islamic State for Killing Jordanian Pilot\|author= Yoni Ben Menachem \|work=Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA)\|location=Jerusalem}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.palwatch.org/pages/news_archive.aspx?doc_id=14499\|title=Hamas justifies IS’ brutal murder of Jordanian pilot - Palestinian Daily News\|publisher=\|accessdate=20 January 2016}}</ref>

	A US-led raid, at which the ISIS official responsible for oil smuggling ] was killed, produced evidence that Turkish officials directly dealt with ranking ISIS members. Senior Western official familiar with the captured intelligence told the Observer that “There are hundreds of flash drives and documents that were seized there,”. “They are being analysed at the moment, but the links are already so clear that they could end up having profound policy implications for the relationship between us and Ankara.”<ref name="the guardian"/>

	], a journalist of ] was killed at a car crash with a heavy vehicle in Turkey in what are claimed, by her employer and her parents, to be suspicious circumstances. The car crash happened just days after she claimed that the Turkey's state intelligence agency, ], had threatened her and accused her of spying, due to some of the stories she had covered about Turkey’s stance on ISIL militants in Kobane. She also claimed that she had received images of ISIL militants crossing the Turkish border into Syria in World Food Organization and other ]s trucks.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/oct/20/journalist-safety-turkey\|title=Iranian broadcaster raises suspicions about death of reporter on Syrian border\|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2799924/mystery-american-journalist-killed-car-crash-turkey-just-days-claimed-intelligence-services-threatened-coverage-siege-kobane.html\|title=Mystery of American journalist killed in car crash in Turkey... just days after she claimed intelligence services had threatened her over her coverage of siege of Kobane\|publisher=Daily Mail}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-lebanese-reporter-dies-in-turkey-iranian-tv-calls-accident-suspicious.aspx?pageID=238&nID=73214&NewsCatID=352\|title=US-Lebanese reporter dies in Turkey, Iranian TV calls accident ‘suspicious’\|publisher=Hurriyet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/11/07/mystery-surrounds-death-us-citizen-and-journalist-serena-shim-in-turkey.html\|title=Family suspects foul play in death of US journalist in Turkey \|publisher=Fox News}}</ref>

	At January 2016, ] obtained documents which show that ISIL ran a sophisticated immigration operation through the Syrian border town of ] with Turkey until its defeat by Kurds. The border crossing remained open until Kurdish forces took control of the town (]), at which point Turkey promptly sealed it. David Phillips, an academic at Columbia University and author of two recent research papers into links between Turkey and ISIS, alleges that the country “knows the movements of all persons and can control the flow across the border if it chooses”. He said there was “a steady stream of vehicles, individuals, weapons, financing, oil going back and forth”, adding: “It’s not like people are putting on their hiking boots and crossing over rough terrain. There’s an extensive surface transport network which is highly regulated and controlled ... on both sides of the border.”. Academic researcher Aymenn al-Tamimi, an expert on examining Isis documents, said he had no doubt about the authenticity of the manifests. “The documents ... coincide with other documents illustrating daily bus routes within Islamic State territory. Though private companies provide the actual transportation, the Islamic State bureaucracy is responsible for authorising and overseeing the routes,” he said. A senior Turkish government official, in response to the Guardian’s claims, said that Turkey was doing everything it could to stop the influx of foreign fighters, including cracking down on recruitment and logistic networks such as travel agents mentioned in the documents.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/10/isis-immigration-operation-turkey-syria-border-passenger-manifests-tel-abyad-islamic-state\|title=Isis 'ran sophisticated immigration operation' on Turkey-Syria border\|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref>

	] launched ]s on Turkey after accusing it of supporting ISIS by buying oil from them and treating their wounded in hospital. They have also told that they will continue the attacks as long as Turkey is supporting ISIS.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3370537/Anonymous-launches-cyber-attack-Turkey-accusing-supporting-ISIS-buying-oil-treating-wounded-hospital.html\|title=Anonymous launches cyber attack on Turkey after accusing it of supporting ISIS by buying oil from them and treating their wounded in hospital\|publisher=dailymail}}</ref>

	] assigned a team of researchers in the United States, Europe, and Turkey to examine Turkish and international media assessing the credibility of allegations and published a research paper entitled ''"ISIS-Turkey Links"''. The report draws on a variety of international sources and present many allegations that appeared in the media.<ref name="Research Paper: ISIS-Turkey List"/>

	In an email to ], ] accused ] of hypocrisy. He said: “Turkey blamed Isis (]), which Erdoğan has been aiding in many ways, while also supporting the ], which is hardly different."<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/14/chomsky-hits-back-erdogan-double-standards-terrorism-bomb-istanbul\|title=Chomsky hits back at Erdoğan, accusing him of double standards on terrorism \|publisher=the guardian}}</ref>

	Jacques Behnan Hindo, the ], accused Turkey of preventing Christians from fleeing Syria while allowing jihadists to cross its border unchecked. He said on the ], "In the north, Turkey allows through lorries, Daesh (ISIS) fighters, oil stolen from Syria, wheat and cotton: all of these can cross the border but nobody (from the Christian community) can pass over.". He claimed it a day after ISIL abducted more than 90 Assyrian Christians from villages.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Feb-25/288720-bishop-accuses-turkey-over-syrian-christians.ashx\|title=Bishop accuses Turkey over Syrian Christians\|publisher=dailystar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/bishop-accuses-turkey-over-syrian-christians-.aspx?PageID=238&NID=78846&NewsCatID=352\|title=Bishop accuses Turkey over Syrian Christians\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	Transcripts of telephone calls between IS jihadists and Turkish officers has been revealed.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/327024-wiretapped-calls-turkish-officers/\|title=Wiretapped calls reveal communication between Turkish officers and ISIS – report\|publisher=rt}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/333359-turkey-isis-military-cooperate/\|title=‘OK, big brother’: Turkish military cooperate with ISIS on border, telephone calls reveal\|publisher=rt}}</ref>

	Members of the ] (Kurds) accused the Turkish military of opening fire at its forces in ] after the majority Arab town was included into a Kurdish enclave after fights with ISIS soldiers. The Turkish Prime Minister ] confirmed it and he said that Turkey had warned the PYD not to cross to the "west of the Euphrates and that we would hit it the moment it did. "We hit it twice,".<ref name="aljazeera"/>

	Turkey, at January 2016, didn't allow Kurdish groups from northern Syria to take part in peace talks in Geneva. Turkish PM said that the participation of YPG represents a 'direct threat' to his country.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-peace-talks-turkey-will-not-allow-kurdish-groups-to-join-meeting-of-those-opposed-to-assad-a6821996.html\|title=Syria peace talks: Turkey will not allow Kurdish groups to join meeting of those opposed to Assad regime\|publisher=independent}}</ref>

	On February 2016, US urged Turkey to stop the shelling of the Kurds and focus on fighting the ISIL.<ref name="bbc.com"/>

	On February 2016, Syria and the ] accused Turkey of allowing Islamist fighters to travel through Turkish territory to reinforce Islamist rebels in ] and ].<ref name="yahoo"/>

	On February 2016, Hezbollah said Turkey and Saudi Arabia were using the Islamic State group as a "pretext" to launch a ground operation in Syria, after Turkey's suggestion to the U.S. and other allies in an international coalition against the Islamic State group for ground operations in Syria.<ref name="abcnews"/>

	On 10 February 2016, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin sent a letter to the UN Security Council. He said in the letter that recruiters from ISIL had reportedly established a network in the Turkish city of Antalya for foreign fighters from the former Soviet Union. He also said in the letter that, in September, a group of 1,000 IS fighters from Europe and Central Asia were taken from Turkey to Syria through the border crossing at Gaziantep. In addition, he claimed that in early 2015, Turkish intelligence services reportedly helped move ethnic Tatars who were fighting for the Al-Qaeda aligned Nusra Front from Antalya to Eskişehir and, also, that it was helping to fly ISIL militants from Syria through Turkey to Yemen using Turkish military air transport, or by sea to Yemen's port of Aden.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/russia-accuses-turkey-of-helping-jihadists-recruit-fighters-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95413&NewsCatID=352\|title=Russia accuses Turkey of helping jihadists recruit fighters\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	On 17 February 2016, at least 500 armed fighters crossed the Turkish border heading for the Syrian town of Azaz to fight against the Kurdish forces according to the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/500-rebels-cross-turkish-border-towards-syrian-town-of-azaz-observatory-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=95369&NewsCatID=352\|title=500 rebels cross Turkish border towards Syrian town of Azaz: Observatory \|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	After the ] the head of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) denied any involvement and said that Turkey is using this attack as a "pretext" to intervene in Syria.<ref name="news.yahoo.com">{{cite news\|url=http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-kurdish-pyd-denies-involvement-ankara-attack-111913088.html\|title=Syrian Kurdish PYD denies involvement in Ankara attack\|publisher=yahoo}}</ref>

	=== Criticism of maltreatment of refugees and of other humanitarian misconduct ===

	According to ], Turkish guards routinely shoot at Syrian refugees stranded at the border,<ref name="auto9">{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/334866-turkish-guards-shoot-refugees/\|title=Turkish border guards shooting Syrian refugees ‘daily’ – Amnesty Intl\|publisher=RT}}</ref> also, Turkey has forcibly returned thousands of Syrian refugees to war zone since mid-January 2016.<ref name="auto10">{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/338011-turkey-syria-refugees-amnesty/\|title=Turkey forcibly returned thousands of Syrian refugees to war zone – Amnesty\|publisher=RT}}</ref>

	On May 10, 2016, ] said Turkish border guards were shooting and beating Syrian refugees trying to reach Turkey, resulting in deaths and serious injuries.<ref name="auto11">{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-denies-using-force-against-syrian-refugees-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99053&NewsCatID=339\|title=Turkey denies using force against Syrian refugees \|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref> Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan denied it.<ref name="auto11"/>

	On May 18, 2016, lawmakers from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) have said that Turkey should not use Syrian refugees as a bribe for the process of visa liberalization for Turkish citizens inside the ].<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-refugees-should-not-be-used-as-bribe-for-visa-free-travel-says-ep-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99401&NewsCatID=351\|title=Syrian refugees should not be used as bribe for visa-free travel, says EP\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref>

	] and ] stated that 8 or 11<ref name="auto12">{{cite news\|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-foreign-ministry-rejects-claims-of-killings-on-syrian-border.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100689&NewsCatID=341\|title=Turkish Foreign Ministry rejects claims of killings on Syrian border\|publisher=hurriyet}}</ref> Syrians refugees were killed by Turkish security forces on the night of June 18, 2016, as they attempted to cross the border into Turkey. The Turkish Foreign Ministry denied the claims.<ref name="auto12"/><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/20/middleeast/sohr-turkey-syria-border-shooting/index.html\|title=Syrian monitors: Turkish security kill eight\|first=Gul Tuysuz and Euan McKirdy\|last=CNN\|publisher=\|accessdate=7 December 2016}}</ref>

	Turkish journalist Arzu Yildiz was sentenced to 20 months in jail and lost her parental rights after exposing a video related to a weapons-smuggling scandal denied by the Turkish government, in what her lawyer said was “an act of revenge” by Recep Tayyip Erdogan.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/343496-journalist-turkey-syria-arms-jailed/\|title=Female Turkish journo loses custody of children after leaking video from Syria arms smuggling trial\|publisher=RT}}</ref>		Turkish journalist Arzu Yildiz was sentenced to 20 months in jail and lost her parental rights after exposing a video related to a weapons-smuggling scandal denied by the Turkish government, in what her lawyer said was “an act of revenge” by Recep Tayyip Erdogan.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.rt.com/news/343496-journalist-turkey-syria-arms-jailed/\|title=Female Turkish journo loses custody of children after leaking video from Syria arms smuggling trial\|publisher=RT}}</ref>

Revision as of 11:36, 16 December 2016

Turkish journalist Arzu Yildiz was sentenced to 20 months in jail and lost her parental rights after exposing a video related to a weapons-smuggling scandal denied by the Turkish government, in what her lawyer said was “an act of revenge” by Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

References

"Female Turkish journo loses custody of children after leaking video from Syria arms smuggling trial". RT.

Islamic State

Names of the Islamic State

Members
(List of leaders)

Current

† Former

History

Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (1999–2004)
Al-Qaeda in Iraq (2004–2006)
Mujahideen Shura Council (2006)
Islamic State of Iraq (2006–2013)
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (2013–2014)
Islamic State (2014–present)

Timeline of events

Groups

International branches

Unorganized cells

Wars

Battles

2013	Akashat Hawija Raqqa Al-Shabah Ras al-Ayn Tell Abyad Latakia Menagh Sidi Ali Ben Aoun Sadad Qalamoun Aleppo Al-Yaarubiyah Tell Hamis and Tell Brak Anbar
2014	Fallujah N Aleppo Markada N Iraq (Jun) Mosul Salahuddin Baiji (Jun) Tikrit N Iraq (Aug) Kobanî Sinjar (Aug) Derna Ramadi Deir ez-Zor Baiji (14–15) Sinjar (Dec) Zumar Amirli
2015	Nofaliya W Africa Egyptian airstrikes in Libya Niger raid E al-Hasakah Tikrit Sirte Hama & Homs (Mar–Apr) Sarrin (Mar–Apr) Yarmouk Qalamoun Palmyra (May) W al-Hasakah Al-Hasakah city Tell Abyad Sarrin (Jun–Jul) Al-Hasakah Kobani Palmyra (Jul–Aug) Ramadi (15–16) Al-Qaryatayn Al-Hawl Homs (Nov–Dec) Sinjar E Aleppo (15–16) Niveneh Plains Tishrin Dam
2016	Deir ez-Zor (Jan) Fallujah (Feb–May) Nangarhar Ben Guerdane Ithriyah-Raqqa (Feb–Mar) Al-Shaddadi Khanasir Al-Qaryatayn (Mar–Apr) Palmyra (Mar) N Aleppo (Mar–Jun) Hīt Tipo-Tipo Sirte Ar-Rutbah N Raqqa Fallujah (May–Jun) Manbij Ithriyah-Raqqa (Jun) Abu Kamal al-Rai (Aug) N al-Bab (Sep) W al-Bab (Sep) Dabiq W al-Bab (Oct–Nov) Al-Bab Aleppo Palmyra
2017	Mosul (16–17) Raqqa (16–17) Palmyra Deir ez-Zor (Jan–Feb) E Aleppo (Jan–Apr) E Homs Hama W Nineveh Tabqa Syrian Desert (Dec 16–Apr 17) Syrian Desert (May–Jul) Maskanah Marawi Raqqa S Raqqa C Syria Tal Afar Deir ez-Zor (17–19) Hawija E Syria (Sep–Dec) NW Syria (Oct 17–Feb 18) Abu Kamal W Iraq
2018	As-Suwayda (Jun) S Syria As-Suwayda (Aug–Nov)
2019	Hajin Baghuz Fawqani Barisha raid
2020	Chinagodrar Danag Mocímboa da Praia Al Bayda
2021	Tessit Palma Sambisa Dangarous
2022	Al-Hasakah Atme raid Andéramboukane Talataye
2023	Falagountou

Attacks

2014	Jewish Museum of Belgium shooting Camp Speicher massacre Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu ramming
2015	Hypercacher kosher supermarket siege Beheading of Copts in Libya Corinthia Hotel Al Qubbah bombings Bardo National Museum Sanaa bombings (Mar) Jalalabad bombing Curtis Culwell Center Qatif & Dammam bombings 26 June Kobanî massacre Saint-Quentin-Fallavier Kuwait mosque bombing Sousse Khan Bani Saad bombing Suruç bombing Baghdad bombing (Aug) Sanaa bombing (Sep) Ankara bombings Saihat shooting Metrojet Flight 9268 Beirut bombings Paris (Nov) Tunis bombing San Bernardino attack Qamishli bombings
2016	Zliten truck bombing Hurghada Istanbul bombing (Jan) Jakarta Ramadi bombing Mahasin mosque Sayyidah Zaynab (Jan) Mosul massacre Homs bombings (Feb) Sayyidah Zaynab bombings (Feb) Baghdad bombings (Feb) Istanbul bombing (Mar) Brussels bombings Aden bombing Iskandariya bombing Baghdad bombing (Apr) Samawa bombing Gaziantep bombing (May) Baghdad bombings (11 May) Real Madrid fan club massacres Baghdad gas plant Yemen police bombings (15 May) Baghdad bombings (17 May) Jableh & Tartous bombings (May) Yemen bombings (23 May) Aktobe shootings Pulse nightclub shooting Magnanville stabbing Mukalla (Jun) Movida Bar Atatürk Airport Dhaka (Jul) Karrada bombing Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hadi Mausoleum Nice truck Würzburg train Kabul bombing (Jul) Ansbach bombing Normandy church Qamishli bombings (Jul) Charleroi stabbing Shchelkovo Highway police station Aden bombing (Aug) Syria bombings (5 Sep) Baghdad bombings (9 Sep) Baghdad bombings (Oct) Quetta police college Hamam al-Alil massacre Khuzdar bombing Samarinda bombing Hillah bombing (Nov) Aden bombings (Dec) Botroseya bombing Al-Karak Berlin truck Murders of Sefter Taş and Fethi Şahin Baghdad bombings (Dec)
2017	Istanbul nightclub shooting Baghdad bombings (2 Jan) Azaz bombing (Jan) Sehwan bombing Kabul (Mar) Westminster St Petersburg Metro bombing Egypt church bombings Mastung bombing Manchester Arena bombing Jakarta bombings Minya Al-Faqma bombing London Bridge Brighton siege Tehran Pakistan attacks (Jun) Hurghada Quetta bombing (Aug) Barcelona Brussels (Aug) Nasiriyah Afghanistan (20 Oct) New York City truck Sinai mosque Kabul bombing (28 Dec) Saint Menas church
2018	Baghdad bombings Save The Children Jalalabad Kizlyar church shooting Kabul bombing (Mar) Carcasonne & Trèbes Kabul bombing (22 Apr) Kabul bombings (30 Apr) Tripoli Mako Brimob standoff Paris knife Surabaya bombings Liège Jalalabad bombing (Jul) Mastung & Bannu bombings Quetta bombing As-Suwayda Tajikistan attack Kabul (Sep) Ahvaz military parade Minya bus Melbourne stabbing Murders of Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland
2019	Jolo Cathedral bombings Sri Lanka Easter bombings Sainthamaruthu shootout Kabul bombing (17 Aug)
2020	Kabul shooting (6 Mar) Kabul gurdwara Xitaxi Afghanistan (May) Jalalabad prison Jolo bombings Kabul University Vienna Afghanistan (Dec)
2021	Machh January Baghdad bombings Kabul school bombing Kabul airport Kunduz bombing Kandahar bombing Kampala bombings Kabul hospital
2022	Diyala massacre Peshawar mosque Hadera shooting Mazar-i-Sharif mosque bombing Mazar-i-Sharif minivan bombings Bourasso and Namissiguima Kuje prison break 5 August Kabul bombing August Kabul mosque bombing Bombing of the Russian embassy in Kabul Shah Cheragh Kabul hotel
2023	Kabul airport bombing Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan bombing Al-Sukhnah Hama Khar bombing Arras school stabbing Pul-i-Khumri bombing Brussels shooting Kabul bombing (Nov) Paris Mindanao State University bombing
2024	Kerman bombings Istanbul church shooting Balochistan bombings Sibi bombing Mucojo attack Karabulak clash Kandahar New Kabul Bank bombing Tillabéri attack Crocus City Hall attack 2024 Guzara Attack 2024 Bamyan shooting 2024 Beirut US embassy shooting Rostov-on-Don pre-trial detention center hostage crisis 2024 Dagestan attacks 2024 attack on the Israeli embassy in Belgrade 2024 Muscat mosque shooting 2024 Kabul bus bombing Surovikino penal colony hostage crisis 2024 Solingen stabbing 2024 Qala Bakhtiar bombing 2024 Afghanistan bus shooting

Politics and organization

Relations

Society

Media

Revision as of 11:36, 16 December 2016

See also

References