Turkey threatens to launch military intervention in Syria
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says his country would not hesitate to launch a military intervention in Syria in case of what he referred to as a potential threat to Turkey’s “security.”
“If anything occurred that were to threaten Turkish security, we wouldn’t wait for tomorrow, we would go right in,” Turkey’s Today’s Zaman newspaper quoted Davutoglu as saying on Friday.
The report by the Turkish daily said Turkey has deployed additional forces and equipment along its border with Syria, corroborating media reports that Ankara was planning a cross-border operation.
Several Turkish media outlets reported last Sunday that the Ankara government was gearing up for a ground incursion into Syria.
The reports said the government had ordered the army to deploy forces to the border areas in a bid to prevent significant gains by Kurdish forces fighting against the militants of the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group, which controls parts of Syria.
On Monday, Turkish armed forces began amassing near the Turkish border city of Sanliurfa, AFP reported. The news agency said Turkish officials were also discussing a potential intervention.
Davutoglu further said, “It’s correct that we have taken precautions to protect our border. If there’s any circumstance across the border that threatens Turkish security, orders to act have been given.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Syrian Kurds of trying to establish a state in Syria’s north, saying Ankara will leave no stone unturned to prevent such an establishment near its borders.
Earlier this week, Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) warned the government against any military intervention in neighboring Syria, saying such a move would cost Ankara dearly.
Ankara has been among the major sponsors of the militant groups that have been operating in Syria over the past four years.
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