Turkish PM opens door for Russian use of Incirlik

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Saturday that Russia could possibly use country's southern Incirlik Air Base if it becomes necessary. This confirmed DEBKAfile’s prediction that Moscow, after gaining an air base in Iran last week, would also seek access to the strategic base in southern Turkey in the light of the Putin-Erdogan rapprochement. Yildirim added that since Incirilik was available to the warplanes of the United States, Qatar, Germany and other NATO nations fighting the Islamic State in Syria, Russia would be granted the same privilege – if necessary.