Special to WorldTribune.com

The United States and Turkey are set to engage in “comprehensive” air operations against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL).

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Reuters on Aug. 24 that the air campaign will target ISIL in a zone in northern Syria bordering Turkey. Arab allies including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, as well as Britain and France may also take part, Cavusoglu said.

“The technical talks have been concluded and soon we will start this operation, comprehensive operations, against Daesh (Islamic State),” he said.

ISIL has been using easy access to the Turkish border to bring in foreign fighters and much-needed supplies to Syria. Cutting off that access could be a game-changer, observers say. The U.S. has already begun air strikes from Turkish bases in advance of the campaign.

The air campaign will also provide cover for what the U.S. says are moderate Syrian rebels. The target area is a rectangular border territory roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) long, officials who have examined the plans have said.

Cavusoglu said the air strikes are also intended to send a message to Syrian President Bashar Assad and pressure his administration to come to the negotiating table and seek a political solution for the civil war that has gone on for four years.

The foreign minister also said that Ankara would continue its military operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey until the PKK laid down its weapons.

  Bashar Assad, Mevlut Cavusoglu, PKK, Turkey complete plans for ‘comprehensive’ offensive against ISIL, United States, WorldTribune.com