Advertisement

U.S. to help military, diplomatic families leave Turkey with increased security threat

By Amy R. Connolly
An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on Aug. 12. Thursday, the U.S. offered to help hundreds of Americans stationed at Incirlik Air Base and a consulate in nearby Adana to leave Turkey. Photo by Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey/U.S. Air Force
An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on Aug. 12. Thursday, the U.S. offered to help hundreds of Americans stationed at Incirlik Air Base and a consulate in nearby Adana to leave Turkey. Photo by Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey/U.S. Air Force

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. government has offered to help hundreds of family members of Americans stationed at Incirlik Air Base and a consulate in nearby Adana to leave Turkey as efforts escalate in the fight against the Islamic State extremist group.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said the move is not in response to a specific threat, rather due to the "elevated force protection level in Turkey." The decision follows the beginning of U.S. airstrike operations against IS -- also identified as ISIS, ISIL and Daesh -- last month out of Incirlik Air Base.

Advertisement

The family members of U.S. personnel have the option to leave Turkey at government expense, and family members who wish to remain in Turkey are free to do so, Cook said.

"This decision was made out of an abundance of caution following the commencement of military operations out of Incirlik Air Base," he said. "The safety and security of U.S. citizens living abroad is one of our top priorities."

The authorization for voluntary departure applies to some 900 people and does not apply to family members of U.S. military or civilian personnel in other cities, including Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines