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Turkey Hits Islamic State Targets In Syria, Iraq After Istanbul Bombing


Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu

Turkey says its military has shelled targets of the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Iraq and Syria following a suicide attack in Istanbul earlier this week.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on January 14 that the Turkish armed forces hit 500 IS positions with artillery and tank fire in the past 48 hours.

He said 200 IS members were killed in the assault, adding that Turkey will also carry out air strikes against the extremist group if necessary and will maintain its "determined stance" until IS fighters leave its border areas.

Ten German tourists were killed in the January 12 blast in Istanbul.

Davutoglu said the bomber was an IS member who had entered Turkey from Syria as a refugee.

Turkish warplanes have not flown in Syrian air space since Turkey shot down a Russian fighter in November, triggering a diplomatic row with Moscow.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

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