U.S. and Turkey to set-up "safe zone" for Syrian rebels
ISTANBUL-- The U.S. is about to get deeper into Syria's Civil War. Turkey and the U.S. have agreed to use air power to set-up a "safe zone" inside Syria for rebel groups who are willing to battle ISIS.
Turkish officials refuse to give exact boundaries, but say the "safe zone" will be north of the Syrian city of Aleppo. They told CBS News' Holly Williams airstrikes will clear ISIS militants from a 60-mile section of the border.
The increased number of airstrikes will give cover to so-called moderate rebels as they fight ISIS. But it's not clear which or how many rebels will be protected, some of whom are linked to al Qaeda.
America's $500 million plan to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels has so far only yielded around 60 fighters. Turkey hopes the "safe zone" will eventually encourage some Syrian refugees to return home.
Nearly 2 million Syrians have fled to Turkey since the country's civil war began over 4 years ago. But airstrikes near Aleppo would bring U.S. operations closer than ever to the Syrian regime's air defenses.
Turkey is a key U.S. ally, but only agreed to allow the U.S.-led coalition to use its Incirlik air base last week. After a spate of violent attacks, including a suicide bomb that killed over 30 people. Turkish officials linked it to ISIS.
People in Turkey are bracing for more terrorist attacks now that the Turkish government has launched airstrikes against ISIS. And a Pentagon official said today that this new plan could mean more U.S. military personnel based in Turkey.
