MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-TURKEY-BORDER Turkey to take "necessary measures" on border security

Record ID: 148983

  • Title: MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-TURKEY-BORDER Turkey to take "necessary measures" on border security
  • Date: 29th June 2015
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (JUNE 29, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE SOLDIER STANDING ON GUARD ENTRANCE GATE TURKISH FLAGS POLICEMAN MOUNTING SECURITY CAR CARRYING ARMY CHIEF NECDET OZEL ENTERING PALACE MINISTERS ARRIVING BY CAR BODYGUARDS MORE OF MINISTERS ARRIVING TO PALACE
  • Embargoed: 14th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAD7I2TXTT0M2BWY5J803C0QV91
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey was prepared for all necessary measures to tackle security threats along its borders, highlighting Ankara's growing anxiety about conflict near its southern frontier in Syria.
    The National Security Council, chaired by President Tayyip Erdogan, expressed concern about a threat of "terrorism" from the Syrian border as local media reported Ankara was considering military steps to counter security risks from Syria.
    A statement from the council following its meeting on Monday (June 29) also said Turkey was worried about demographic changes in the region, in an apparent reference to the displacement of Arab and Turkmen Syrians following fighting in recent weeks.
    Syrian Kurdish forces continued to make military advances against Islamic militants with Ankara fearing the creation of an autonomous Kurdish state in Syrian territory that would further embolden Turkey's own 14 million Kurds.
    Erdogan said on Saturday (June 27) Turkey would never allow the formation of a Kurdish state along its southern borders.
    Syrian Kurdish forces secured the town of Kobani next to the border over the weekend, beating back Islamic State militants.
    The pro-government Star newspaper said a possible cross-border operation would be considered at the national security council meeting, citing unnamed sources.
    One option that could be considered was the creation of a 110 km (70 mile) "secure zone" within Syria, the newspaper said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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