Press
The USA has transferred two B1-B “Lancer” bombers to Turkey to protect Israel. The case shows that Ankara supports American security interests.
Incirlik – The US has deployed two strategic bombers to Incirlik Air Base in the Türkiye relocated. The B-1B “Lancer” fighter jets landed in Turkey on April 15. The bombers landed in the country shortly after the US Air Force and Navy protected Israel from Iranian missile and drone attacks.
In any case, the US military had increased its military presence in the region since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 Israel for example to provide support against possible attacks from Iran or the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
Protection of Israel
“The addition of B-1B bombers, which are expected to play a central role in potential U.S. strikes against Israeli adversaries, be they non-state actors or Iran itself, is therefore just the latest example of this “Ankara’s importance for strengthening Western and Israeli security interests,” writes the online industry magazine Military watch. The feared US bomber with its four-man crew can carry a load of around 34,000 kg. The B1-B Lancer has so far been used in various conflict zones. B-1B bombers also played a central role in American operations in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021.
Türkiye produces 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine and Israel
As Israel faces ongoing operations in the Gaza Strip and hostilities with the Iran As Hezbollah-backed forces face a growing need for 155mm artillery shells, the Turkish government has provided key support to U.S. efforts to increase production of these shells, thereby enabling an expansion of supplies to Israel and Ukraine.
Turkey plays loudly Military watch a key role in advancing American security interests. Most recently, the USA agreed to sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkey after Ankara approved its veto of Sweden joining NATO.
Verbal attacks by Erdogan against Israel
president Recep Tayyip Erdogan However, the country is critical of Israel. After October 7, Erdogan described the terrorist militia Hamas as a “liberation organization” that defends his country. The powerful man in Ankara even compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler. However, Erdogan's verbal attacks against Israel are perceived in Turkey as a political calculation, primarily to appease its own clientele of Islamists and nationalists.
Erdogan did not want to suspend trade with Israel because the country has been suffering from a crippling economic crisis for years. In the local elections on March 31st, parts of the coalition Islamist party “Yeniden Refah Partisi” and also Erdogan's own electorate voted against them AKP averted, so that this could only become the second strongest party.
Trade despite “trade restrictions” with Israel
Ankara then had to impose sanctions against Israel on April 9th. “Trade restrictions” were introduced for 54 goods. At the joint press conference with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday, a journalist confronted Erdogan with the question of why, on the one hand, he attacks Israel and its government and yet still maintains “intensive trade relations” with the country. “That’s over,” Erdogan replied succinctly.
However, research by Turkish exiled journalist Metin Cihan shows a different picture. According to the Turkish president, Cihan published the lists of merchant ships traveling back and forth between Turkish and Israeli ports. “I took stock of the last week of two-way shipping between Turkey and Israel, which Erdogan said was now over, which of course is not true.”
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