Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says U.S. air strikes on Islamic militants in Iraq could lead to many civilian deaths.
Iraq called on June 18 for Washington to conduct air strikes against insurgents from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which has captured key cities and territory in Iraq in recent weeks.
Erdogan said in Ankara on June 19 that air strikes would lead to many civilian deaths because "ISIL elements" are mixed in "with the people."
Erdogan added that recent statements made by U.S. politicians show Washington would "not view such attacks [that would kill civilians] positively."
U.S. President Barack Obama has not publicly responded to Baghdad's request for air power.
Turkey hosts the U.S. air base at Incirlik, which could be used to carry out air strikes in Iraq.
Iraq called on June 18 for Washington to conduct air strikes against insurgents from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which has captured key cities and territory in Iraq in recent weeks.
Erdogan said in Ankara on June 19 that air strikes would lead to many civilian deaths because "ISIL elements" are mixed in "with the people."
Erdogan added that recent statements made by U.S. politicians show Washington would "not view such attacks [that would kill civilians] positively."
U.S. President Barack Obama has not publicly responded to Baghdad's request for air power.
Turkey hosts the U.S. air base at Incirlik, which could be used to carry out air strikes in Iraq.
