Turkish military stand guard in the Taksim Square in Istanbul. (Reuters)
The U.S. military's future use of Turkish bases in the campaign against the Islamic State was left uncertain Friday evening amid an attempted coup against the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Defense officials at the Pentagon, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the attempted coup as it unfolded, said Friday that they were aware of what was occurring in Turkey but still working to determine its effects on U.S. operations.
The Pentagon has increasingly relied on Turkish military installations as the United States has waged its war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. In particular, U.S. troops at Incirlik Air Base near the southern border with Syria and at Diyarbakir Air Base in the southeastern part of the country both have a direct role in the military campaign against the militants.
At Incirlik, the United States has based A-10 attack planes, KC-135 tankers and unmanned aircraft, with an Air Force commander there assessing in May that his unit handled one-third of all refueling operations for the air war over Iraq and Syria.
An A-10 squadron has been based at Incirlik since October 2015, after the Turkish government allowed U.S. strike aircraft to use the base. Use of the base immediately improved how long the aircraft could remain over Iraq and Syria, considering its close proximity when compared to other military bases used by the Pentagon in Persian Gulf countries.
At Diyarbakir, the Air Force began staging small numbers of U.S. troops last fall in case personnel recovery missions are required. The installation is home to Turkey's 8th Air Wing, and was not planned as a permanent home for U.S. troops, U.S. military officials have said.
In other parts of the country, U.S. troops use an air base in Izmir, some 200 miles southwest of Instanbul, and Aksaz Naval Base, on the Aegean Coast. In March, Pentagon and State Department ordered the families of U.S. troops and diplomats to leave the country, citing security concerns raised by terrorist attacks across Turkey.
It also was not immediately clear what effect the coup plot had on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey's capital, and at consulates in the cities of Adana and Istanbul. A statement released by the embassy in Ankara warned U.S. citizens that the Turkish government warned of an uprising attempt.
"We urge U.S. citizens to contact family and friends to let them know you are safe," the embassy's statement said. "We have seen reports that social media is blocked, but you can contact friends and family by email, telephone, or SMS. We encourage U.S. citizens to shelter in place and do not go the U.S. Embassy or Consulates at this time."
U.S. Marines are typically stationed at embassies, and can be reinforced with additional personnel who are flown in at times of crisis.
© 2016 The Washington Post
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