NATO members held an emergency meeting today at the request of Turkey following the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in north-east Syria.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement after the meeting that the talks were held under Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty, which allows any ally to request consultations if it feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.
“NATO continues to support Turkey with a range of measures, including by augmenting its air defences, which helps Turkey against the threat of missile attacks from Syria,” Stoltenberg added.
“Allies offer their deepest condolences for the death of Turkish soldiers in last night’s bombing near Idlib.”
READ: Turkey kills over 300 Syria regime troops in retaliation to attack
“Today’s meeting is a sign of solidarity with Turkey.”
On Thursday, after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian supported Syrian regime forces, Turkey opened its southwestern border with Syria to allow refugees fleeing the pro-government forces’ assault free passage to Europe. The decision came after a security meeting on Idlib chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
5/ Only thing stopping 1000s of Syrians from moving towards border with Greece is that nobody knows yet if it's possible to really get into Greece.
All Syrians in Turkey glued to TV as Turkish TV is live streaming people flocking to Greek borders on foot, by bus &boats.@akhbar pic.twitter.com/1Bod0nB2ye
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) February 28, 2020
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today called for an immediate ceasefire in Syria, his official spokesman said in a statement.
“He also urged international community to provide stronger support to Turkey for Syrian refugees,” he said.