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US To Deploy High-Mobility Rocket System In Turkey Near Syrian Border

The US plans to deploy its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) on Turkey’s border with Syria next month, according to the Turkish Foreign Minister. Mevlut Cavusoglu told local media that the US rocket launcher system is to combat ISIS terrorists. The deployment in May is part of an agreement with Washington to seal off the bordering Manbji region in Aleppo Province, northern Syria. RT reports: “We have come to an agreement with the US regarding closing down the Manbij area,” the Turkish foreign minister told the Haberturk newspaper while visiting Saudi Arabia. “As part of this deal, HIMARS systems will be arriving in Turkey’s borders in May. Therefore we will be able to hit Islamic State in a more efficient way,” he added, explaining that the current range of Turkish top-of-the-line rockets is only 40km, while America’s ground-based HIMARS can reach 90km. This will enable Turkey to help the Syrian opposition on the ground too. “To wipe out Islamic State from this region, we need to support the moderate opposition both from the air and ground,” he noted. Cavusoglu blames the West for being late to the table on creating a safe zone. “To eradicate Daesh [Arabic pejorative for IS] from this [...]