NATO says Turkey has asked for missile defence against Syria

BRUSSELS - Reuters

EPA Photo

Turkey has asked NATO to deploy Patriot missiles on its territory, the alliance said on Wednesday, to help it defend itself against any Syrian attacks.

"Such a deployment would augment Turkey's air defence capabilities to defend the population and territory of Turkey," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement. "It would contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along NATO's south-eastern border."

Rasmussen said the alliance would discuss the request "without delay".

Turkey asks Patriot missiles

Turkish Foreign Ministry

"In view of the threats and risks posed by the continuing crisis in Syria to our national security and following Council consultations held on 26 June and 3 October 2012 upon our request within the framework of Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, a decision has been taken to formally request NATO to support the augmentation of our national air defence by Allied air defence elements.
Our request has been formally raised through a letter, which we have today issued at NATO.
The NATO Council will shortly convene to address our request.