Turkey Deals Deadly Blows to IS Cells

[TomSea]

Turkey Deals Deadly Blows to IS Cells

WASHINGTON —

Turkish security and intelligence organizations are dealing deadly blows to Islamic State cells and networks in the country, a high-level Turkish official told VOA, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Since the New Year's attack by IS in Istanbul which took 39 lives, Turkey has been dealing heavy blows to this extremist organization," the official said. "Turkey is part of the international anti-IS coalition. We are very determined as always and continue to fight against IS and all other terrorist organizations."

Last week, Turkish security forces stormed a suspected IS cell in the Anatolian province of Konya, killing at least five IS fighters.

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Ankara charges that U.S.-backed Kurdish forces have ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a terrorist organization.

But analysts downplay the ongoing tensions when it comes to sharing intelligence on IS hideouts and operatives.

"Turkey is an important part of the international coalition against [IS]. Although some differences regarding tactics to combat ISIS do exist, cooperation continues," Yonah Alexander, Director of the Potomac Institute of Terrorism Studies, told VOA.

"Turkey has proven from the Korean War to the current situation in the Middle East that it is a trusted ally willing and able to contribute to the interests of the U.S. and the West," he added.

Continued: https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-deal-deadly-blows-to-islamic-state-cells/3948404.html