US commander: Turkey unrest could affect Islamic State fight

The top US military commander for the Middle East says he’s concerned the failed coup in Turkey may have longer term effects on the fight against Islamic State militants in the region.

Gen. Joseph Votel tells the Aspen Security Forum that he’s worried the unrest could affect US relations with the Turkish military, noting that some of its leaders have been jailed.

He says military operations out of the air base at Incirlik are back to normal. The US-led coalition uses Incirlik to launch airstrikes, surveillance aircraft and other missions into Syria and Iraq.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has imposed a three-month state of emergency in the country. More than 13,000 people in the military, judiciary and other institutions have been detained since the July 15 coup attempt.

— AP