NATO expresses strong solidarity with Turkey
NATO on Friday offered solidarity and support to Ankara after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in Syria -- but no pledges of concrete new measures to defend Turkey's forces, AFP reported.
As the source said, the alliance's ruling council held urgent talks at Turkey's request after the air strike in Syria's northwestern Idlib province sent tensions soaring.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said allies had agreed to maintain measures already in place to bolster Turkey's air defences. But he gave no hint of new steps beyond a general pledge to see what more could be done.
"NATO allies provide support for Turkey today. We augment their air defences, we have an AWACS plane helping to patrol the skies and we also have port visits and provide support in other ways," he said.
"But allies are constantly looking into what more they can do to provide further support for Turkey."
It is reminded that the losses in Idlib come after weeks of growing tensions between Ankara and Damascus-ally Moscow. They bring to 53 the number of Turkish security personnel killed in the province this month.