Turkey May Request NATO’s Help to Counter Threats From Syria, ISIL

Ankara, if necessary, will request the assistance of NATO in repelling threats of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime and the Islamic State terrorist group, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told journalists.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — According to the prime minister, Turkey will contribute to NATO's actions in respect to ISIL.

“Of course, if there is such a need, we will request assistance [from NATO] in countering any threats, such as rocket attacks from Syria and the terrorist threat emanating from the territory of the country," Davutoglu said Monday.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011. Government forces have been clashing with armed rebel groups, including ISIL, which has occupied a large part of the country.

Turkey, along with many Western countries, has taken a hard line on Assad’s regime, saying that the Syrian president must be deposed in order to end almost half a decade of civil war.

An Islamic State flag

© REUTERS / Murad Sezer/Files