Turkey–ISIL conflict

Around 40 U.S. Special Forces members have arrived in Turkey to join their Turkish colleagues in training Syrian rebel groups to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), sources have told Hürriyet.

The U.S. soldiers have moved to the Hirfanl? gendarmerie base in the Central Anatolian province of K?r?ehir, where they will start the training in 10 days, the sources said.

Historical artifacts have been smuggled from areas controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria to Europe through Turkey, the Independent has reported. 

A land operation is necessary to support air operations in Syria and Iraq if the military operation against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) is to be successful, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has said.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said April 20 that he will use a trip to Turkey for Anzac Day commemorations to push Ankara for increased security on its border with Syria and Iraq.

Arrests have been made in connection with a terrorism investigation into youth who have traveled or tried to travel to Syria to fight with militants, including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, federal authorities said April 19.

A Spanish couple allegedly trying to cross into Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was taken into custody in Istanbul on April 18, according to police officials.

Spain had issued a "red notice" for Ahmad Debza, 33, and his wife, Nadia Fernandez Ataich, 27, both of Moroccan origin, Istanbul police officials said.

Two men were arrested in Melbourne on April 18 for allegedly planning an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)-inspired attack at Anzac Day commemorations honouring soldiers who fought and died for Australia -- the country's most important national event.

A car bombing claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) killed three people on April 17 outside the U.S. consulate in Erbil, in a relatively rare attack in the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
  

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Yalç?n Akdo?an has forecasted that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is not likely to hold a congress in the next few months on a decision to lay down their arms, indicating it will not happen before the June 7 parliamentary election. 

Destiny works in mysterious ways. April comes with rain showers and a sea of flowers in the east. Under the majestic silhouette of Mount Ararat, this magical land?s people saw destiny manifest itself again. After 100 years, finally we have learned not to give up on each other. And we did not let our brothers die in vain.