Turkey has been U.S. ally since Korean war, James Mattis,the newly appointed commander of the U.S. Central Command stated, adding that the countries will continue to work together “on common interests”.

“Turkey has been an ally of ours since the Korean War when they fought alongside us during that difficult period. They stood by us through the Cold War. They stood by us through sanctions against Saddam at a time when it cost them economically severe consequences to their country,” he said during the meeting of Senate Armed Services Committee, Asbarez reported referring to Today’s Zaman.

He also emphasized that Turkey is “the only NATO country that is fighting an active insurgency in the southeast corner”.