NATO approved Turkey’s request for Patriot missiles to protect against Syrian bombardments. The missiles, to be used for defensive purposes only, will be supplied by Germany, the Netherlands, and the US, and are expected to be deployed within weeks.
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Turkish officials said they requested Patriot missiles from NATO because intelligence indicated Syria might resort to missiles and chemical weapons for bombardments that could spill over into Turkish territory. Turkey wants Russia to withdraw its support for Assad.
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Government forces launched over 15 operations against the Kurdistan Communities Union, the alleged urban wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), detaining at least 87 people and arresting 34, including the deputy mayor of Iğdır province. Turkish forces killed eight PKK militants in Hakkari.
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The deputy prime minister revealed that Turkey is paying for Iranian natural gas with gold bullion, circumventing restrictions on using US dollars for payments to Iran. Russia, Syria, and Iran have condemned Turkey’s request for Patriot missiles from NATO.
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Turkey asked NATO for Patriot missiles to be deployed as a deterrent against Syrian attacks. The US, the Netherlands, and Germany are possible suppliers for the missile system. NATO said any such deployment would be defensive in nature and not the imposition of a no-fly zone.
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The Justice Minister said Turkey is open to negotiations with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been fighting for Kurdish autonomy in a 28-year conflict that has killed over 40,000 people. Five Turkish soldiers were killed by PKK militants in Hakkari province yesterday.
In Cairo, Prime Minister Erdogan promised support for Palestinians in the Gaza strip; he also said Turkey would pressure Hamas to stop rocket attacks on Israel if the US “provides guarantees.” The jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party urged supporters to stop their hunger strike.
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The foreign ministry “harshly condemn[ed]” Israel’s recent operations against militants in Gaza and called on the UN and the international community for redress. Turkey recognized the Syrian National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Villages near the border town of Ceylanpinar were evacuated.
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