NATO’s North Atlantic Council is meeting Tuesday at the request of Turkey, which called for special talks due to heightened concerns over its security.
In his opening statement, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg offered his condolences to the victims of recent terrorist attacks in Turkey.
“Terrorism can never be tolerated or justified,” Stoltenberg said. “We stand in strong solidarity with our ally.”
Turkey made its request for Tuesday’s special session under Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty, which allows countries to ask for consultations when they believe their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.
It’s the fifth time in NATO history that members will meet under Article 4, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told CNN.
“In the wake of increased security threats following the attacks against our security and law enforcement forces in the provinces of Diyarbak?r, Sanl?urfa and Kilis, in particular the terrorist attack that took the lives of 32 innocent Turkish citizens in Suruc on 20 July 2015, all necessary measures are being taken and in this context, operations are also being carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Upon these recent attacks and threats directed against our national security, the North Atlantic Council has been called to a meeting by Turkey this week under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty with a view to informing our Allies about the measures we are taking and the operations we are conducting against terrorism, as well as to holding consultations with them.”
A wave of violence
The talks come as Turkey grapples with a wave of violence near its southern border with Syria, and as Turkey has made an abrupt about-face in deciding to confront the terrorist group ISIS.
The North Atlantic Council — comprised of the ambassadors of all 28 NATO countries — is NATO’s governing body.
“Turkey requested the meeting in view of the seriousness of the situation after the recent terrorist attacks, and to inform Allies of the measures it is taking,” the council said.
“At its meeting today, the North Atlantic Council discussed the threats against Turkey,” a council statement said. “We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks against Turkey, and express our condolences to the Turkish government and the families of the victims in Suruc and other attacks against police and military officers.
“The security of the Alliance is indivisible, and we stand in strong solidarity with Turkey.”
Turkey’s President called on NATO to “do its part” in helping address the country’s concerns over security on its borders.
Speaking Tuesday before a flight to China, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told journalists at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport: “In case of any NATO member being attacked, NATO has to give support to this member country. Turkey, which is currently being attacked, is now exercising its right to self-defense and security and will continue to use it.
“We are using our rights under international law and will continue to use them,” he said. “It is NATO’s duty, which is why we demand NATO be prepared in this regard.”
Turkey turns its guns on ISIS and Kurds
Last week, Turkey launched airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria and Kurdish rebel camps in Iraq — a seeming contradiction as ISIS and the Kurds are enemies.
More than 1,000 suspected ISIS members and supporters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front supporters have been arrested since July 24.
A car bomb exploded Sunday in southern Turkey, killing two security officers and wounding four other people, according to officials.
On Thursday, at least five ISIS militants in northern Syria approached the border and fired on a Turkish border unit, killing a soldier and wounding two others, the Turkish military said.
Authorities said ISIS was also to blame for the suicide blast last week in Suruc.
And after the PKK killed two Turkish police officers Wednesday, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu vowed to take action.
Turkey believes the PKK is exploiting ISIS’ efforts. The PKK has been fighting for independence since 1984 and is feared to be making gains.
The United States considers the group a terrorist organization, but PKK militants have come to the aid of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters who have been fighting ISIS in northern Iraq.
