NATO Holds Emergency Meeting on Aid to Turkey in Idlib at Turkey's Request

(Patria) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for a ceasefire in Syria and confirmed support for Turkey at an emergency session convened at Turkey's request.

The meeting on Friday morning in Brussels was held in accordance with Article 4 of the NATO founding charter, which gives every member state the right to request consultations if it deems its territorial integrity, political independence, or security to be threatened.

Stoltenberg also pledged enhanced air defense against missile attacks from Syria.

Apart from air surveillance over Syria, NATO does not play a direct role in the war-torn country. Alliance members are deeply divided regarding Turkey's role in the conflict, while European members are further concerned about possible new waves of refugees.

France attempted to initiate a debate on 'what if' Turkey requests military aid from member states, which is permitted under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, while some NATO members have indicated they have no interest in being drawn into the conflict in Syria. Since October, Turkey has been the target of criticism and threats of sanctions from the West due to its offensive in northern Syria, which has further deepened the NATO alliance's divisions regarding Turkey.

Euronews writes that Russian President Putin, in a phone call with the Turkish President on Friday morning, promised to avoid 'tragedies' in the future, such as the deaths of 33 Turkish soldiers the previous day due to Russian bombing, and that Moscow will 'do everything for the safety of Turkish soldiers' in Syria.