Saudi warplanes to arrive at Turkey’s İncirlik air base on Feb 26

ISTANBUL

Saudi warplanes sent to support the U.S.-led anti-Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) coalition have been scheduled to arrive at İncirlik Air Base in Turkey’s southeastern province of Adana on Feb. 26, private broadcaster CNN Türk has reported.

The report said advance guards had already arrived at the base as of Feb. 25.

Four F-15E Strike Eagle jets will also arrive at the base, in support of the U.S.-led coalition. 

Around an hour before CNN Türk reported that the Saudi aircraft would land at İncirlik Air Base on Feb. 26, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told state-run Anadolu Agency that the jets were expected to come soon. 

“Now, entries have been made for supplies and personnel. Inspections have been made. The aircraft are expected to come soon,” Çavuşoğlu said Feb. 25.

Saudi Arabia, together with Israel, is the country with the second most F-15 type fighter jets in the world, after the U.S. 

The F-15E jets resemble the Russian SU-30 type aircrafts, which are currently deployed in Syria. 

Incirlik is also hosting aircraft from Britain, the U.S., Germany and Qatar.