Blinken arrives for tour of Turkey’s earthquake zone

Blinken arrived on the air base, the place U.S. troops are stationed, after attending the Munich Safety Convention in Germany.

Blinken is on his first journey to NATO member Turkey since he took workplace two years in the past. He’s scheduled to go to a tent metropolis in Hatay established for individuals displaced by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and to tour an assist distribution heart, in line with Turkish officers who weren’t licensed to be recognized publicly.

On returning to Incirlik, he plans to satisfy with U.S. and Turkish service personnel, in addition to Turkish navy households affected by the earthquake.

Incirlik, residence to the U.S. Air Drive’s thirty ninth Air Base Wing, has been a vital logistics heart for assist distribution. Provides from all over the world have been flown into the bottom and despatched by truck and helicopter to these in want, together with in troublesome to succeed in villages.

Blinken is ready to fly to Ankara, Turkey’s capital, later Sunday for discussions with Turkish officers on Monday, together with an anticipated assembly with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In addition to the consequences of the earthquake, Blinken is predicted to debate Sweden and Finland’s efforts to affix NATO, which Turkey has delayed.

Observe AP’s earthquake protection at https://apnews.com/hub/earthquakes