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Turkey Might Close Incirlik Airbase in Response to Genocide Resolutions and Proposed U.S. Sanctions

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that he might shut the Incirlik air base, which houses U.S. nuclear warheads, in response to threats of U.S. sanctions and a separate U.S. Senate resolution that recognized mass killings of Armenians a century ago as genocide.

"If it is necessary for us to take such a step, of course we have the authority ... If this is necessary, together with our delegations, we will close down Incirlik if necessary,” Erdogan said on A Haber TV.

Several international news outlets have reported Erdogan’s remarks.

Turkey has condemned last week’s U.S. Senate vote recognizing the 1915 Armenian Genocide. President Donald Trump does not have to sign it as it's a non-binding resolution. 

The U.S. sanctions referred to by Erdogan stem from Turkey’s decision to go ahead with the purchase and deployment of Russian-made S-40 missile defense systems.

'If they are threatening us with the implementation of these sanctions, of course we will be retaliating,” Erdogan said.

On Sunday, Erdogan added that Turkey can also close the Kurecik radar base if necessary. 

Whether Turkey will close the bases and whether the U.S. will impose sanctions on Turkey remains to be seen.

Photo: AP / Vadim Ghirda

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