Turkish Muslim Cleric Issues Fatwa Allowing the Killing of ISIS Jihadists

Turkish Muslim televangelist Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü issued a fatwa to kill any militant associated with the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL). “If you run across them, slaughter them like you fight with the people of Ad and İrem [two places destroyed by God],” he wrote. “Those who kill them will be awarded and those who are killed by them will be martyrs.”

ISIS has attacked Turkey twice this past week. On Monday, a suicide bomber murdered 32 people and injured 100 in the town of Suruç at “a cultural centre hosting anti-Islamic State activists.” Those at the event were about to head to Kobane, a strategic Kurdish town recently recaptured by Kurdish forces. Suruç is directly across the border from Kobane. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said there is a “high probability” ISIS caused the attack.

“What’s necessary will be done against whomever is responsible,” he declared. “This is an attack that targeted Turkey.”

On Thursday, ISIS terrorists shot and killed a Turkish soldier during a firefight on the Syrian border. Turkey claims soldiers killed at least one militant. These latest attacks are also pushing the government to secure the border, such as a wall or ditches.

“Critical sections [of the border] have been identified,” explained Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc. “Priority will be given to these areas and measures will be taken with all technological capabilities.”

Turkey also agreed to allow the US military to use an airbase to strike the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) in Syria. Retired General John Allen and Department of Defense Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Christine Wormuth met with Turkish officials earlier this month to iron out the details. The agreement means the US military will use the Incirlik Air Base, but no one will use Turkish aircraft in the strikes. The air base already houses six US Predator drones. Turkish media reports at least two “will be armed with Hellfire air-to-surface missiles.”

President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke on Wednesday to make the agreement official. However, a White House spokesman declined to offer a statement when Reuters reached out to them.