First time: US planes from Turkey strike ISIL

The United States on Wednesday used a Turkish air base for the first time to send bombers against positions of the Islamic State (ISIL) in Syria, as Turkish President Erdogan expresses his "determination" in the "war against terrorism" he is waging against Kurdish rebels and ISIL, reports the Patria news agency.

"Today, the United States began operations with pilots against IS from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. Airstrikes were conducted," said Commander Elissa Smith, a Pentagon spokesperson.

Smith said that these strikes were possible after Ankara in July approved the Americans' use of the base in the south of the country to lead the offensive against ISIL in Syria.

The US-led coalition had previously used Turkey's Incirlik base to send drones into Syria, while its fighter jets took off from aircraft carriers and military bases in the region.

Turkey, a NATO member, until recently had been reluctant to participate in coalition operations against ISIL for fear of contributing to the strengthening of Syrian Kurds who are fighting jihadists on the ground near its border.

However, the attack in Suruc on July 20, in which 32 people were killed and which is attributed to ISIL, changed the circumstances and forced Ankara into a strategic shift. (Hina)