Pentagon spokesman Col. Robert Manning said on Tuesday that a diplomatic dispute between Turkey and the US has not affected military operations or personnel in Turkey.
According to a Reuters story, Manning said: “I can confirm that these developments have not impacted our operations or personnel. The Turkish air force base in Incirlik continues to fulfill an important role supporting NATO and coalition efforts.”
He said Turkey was a close NATO ally and that the US would continue to coordinate joint and separate military activities with Ankara.
Ankara’s relations with Washington were strained after İstanbul Consulate General staff member Metin Topuz was arrested late on Oct. 4 on espionage charges and alleged links to some leading members of the Gülen movement, which is accused by the Turkish government of being behind a failed coup last year.
The US Embassy in Ankara on Sunday announced that it had suspended all non-immigrant visa services at its diplomatic missions in Turkey.
Hours after the release of the statement, the Turkish Embassy in Washington announced that it had suspended all non-immigrant visa services at all Turkish diplomatic missions in the US.
