Germany, France eye use of bases in Turkey

Berlin and Paris have notified Ankara of their desire to use Turkish bases to consolidate the battle against jihadists in SyriaGermany and France have applied to the Turkish government to use the country's air bases in to increase the intensity of their fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) after deadly terrorist attacks in Paris on Nov. 13. 

In the aftermath of the attacks, in which 130 people were killed by ISIL militants, France promised to increase its support for the U.S.-led coalition against ISIL, while Germany promised its neighbor that it would make a greater contribution to the fight. 

In line with these pledges, France and Germany have applied to use Turkey's ?ncirlik Air Base, something that Turkey's Foreign Ministry and General Staff are warm to.

Berlin sent a letter of intent to the Turkish side regarding the usage of the air base for the Tornado reconnaissance jets it has pledged to send to the coalition. 

The Turkish General Staff and the Foreign Ministry were reportedly leaning toward the usage of the air base by German jets. Ankara is expected to send a positive response to Germany soon after the completion of necessary evaluations.

Turkey agreed in July to open the air base to U.S. drones and fighter jets as part of an agreement for the two countries to work more closely together against ISIL.

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said one day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Françoise Hollande met to discuss the ways in which they could increase their fight against ISIL that Germany could send Tornado reconnaissance jets, a frigate and a tanker aircraft for refueling purposes. 

A couple of days later, German Army Chief...