Turkish pilot emulates viral gesture ‘while dropping bomb on Islamic State’

A Turkish military pilot has become a viral star after appearing to perform the 'Salt Bae' gesture while dropping a bomb in northern Syria.

The pilot was taking part in the Turkish military intervention in northern Syria, code-named Operation Euphrates Shield.

His efforts were part of a wider plan to recapture the city of al-Bab, approximately 50km northeast of Aleppo.

Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe has gained global fame for the flamboyant way he seasons meat with salt.

The Turkish pilot featured in the video above was reportedly attempting to emulate the gesture, according to Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.

"The footage shows the pilot making the move while reportedly dropping a bomb during the campaign to capture al-Bab in northern Syria from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)," the newspaper claimed.