Turkey Formally Requests Patriot Missiles From NATO
Turkey Formally Requests Patriot Missiles From NATO
Turkey formally asked NATO on Wednesday to deploy missile defense elements on its border with Syria to boost its air defense systems, the Turkish Foreign Ministry and NATO have announced.
NATO will convene in the shortest time possible to discuss the Turkish request, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
“Ambassadors will have an initial informal discussion on the Turkish request today,” a NATO official said.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced that he had received a letter from the Turkish government requesting the deployment of Patriot missiles.
“Such a deployment would augment Turkey’s air defense capabilities to defend the population and territory of Turkey,” Rasmussen said in a statement. “It would contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along NATO’s southeastern border. And it would be a concrete demonstration of Alliance solidarity and resolve.”