US begins manned air strikes

US begins manned air strikes against Islamic State from newly opened Incirlik air base in Turkey

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The United States has launched its first manned air strikes against Islamic State targets from the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, the US military says.

Turkish fighter jets were not involved in the manned US air strikes on Wednesday, Turkish security sources said.

Turkey agreed last month to open its strategically important bases to the US-led coalition, a major policy change after years of reluctance to take a frontline role against the Islamist fighters pressing on its borders.

The US-led coalition launched unmanned drone missions against the militants earlier this month, the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement.

Ankara has been reluctant to play a leading role in the fight against the militants, who control parts of neighbouring Syria and Iraq, citing fears of a backlash.

In July, Turkey launched air strikes against the militants in Syria for the first time following an escalation of violence and attacks from Islamic State in south-eastern Turkey.

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