Top Turkish official suggests US might be blocked from air bases over sanctions

Turkey’s foreign minister on Wednesday suggested that the U.S. may not be permitted to use two air bases in Turkey in response to possible sanctions on the country. 

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu was quoted by the state-run Anadolu Agency as saying that in the case of sanctions, the Incirlik Air Base and Kurecik Radar Station where U.S. troops are stationed would come into question.

“The U.S. Congress members should understand that they cannot achieve anything by imposition,” Çavuşoğlu said.

Incirlik has been a major base for the U.S. in the Middle East, used heavily in the fight against ISIS, according to The Associated Press. Kurecik is an important NATO base. 

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was expected to vote this week on legislation to sanction Turkey. Senators introduced the legislation after a Turkish offensive in Syria this year.

There have been tensions between the U.S. and Turkey over Turkey’s decision to buy the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.