The United States’ warplanes have carried out their first air strikes on ISIS in Syria after taking off from a Turkish base. US drones had previously executed a single lethal air strike against an ISIS targets in Syria. It is the first time that manned US fighter jets had carried out raids after taking off from Turkey’s strategically located Incirlik base.
It is expected that the Turkish forces, which so far have only carried out the most limited strikes against ISIS, will also join in the bombing raids. The United States is leading a coalition of Western and Arab powers carrying out strikes against ISIS fighters in territory they have seized in Syria and Iraq.
Facts About Turkey
- Geographically, Turkey sits in two continents, Europe and Asia, although around 97% of it’s land area is on the Asian side.
- Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey. Ankara is the capital of Turkey.
- The highest point in Turkey is Mount Ararat 5137 m.
- The currency used in the country is called the Turkish Lira.
- The ancient city of Troy was located in modern day Turkey.
- Historians believe agriculture began in Turkey some 11,000 years ago.
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