Turkey refuses permission for anti-ISIS strikes

Turkey will refuse permission for the U.S.-led coalition to launch operations against ISIS from its air base, and will not take part in military operations in Iraq or Syria. Security official:

Turkey will not be involved in any armed operation but will entirely concentrate on humanitarian operations.

The official explains that the decision is partly based on the presence of 49 hostages – including diplomats and children – abducted from the Turkish consulate during the ISIS seizure of Mosul on June 11:

Our hands and arms are tied because of the hostages.

The source says the Incirlik Air Base in the south can be opened for logistical and humanitarian operations in a U.S.-led operation, but cannot be used to stage air strikes:

Turkey will not take part in any combat mission, nor supply weapons.