Nato ready to defend all allies as Russia escalates military presence in Syria

Middle East, News October 8, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

Although faced by conflict, instability, insecurity and a refugee crisis, “NATO is ready and able to defend all allies, including Turkey against any threats”, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday.

NATO defence ministers will assess the “troubling escalation of Russian military activities” in Syria, the alliance’s secretary-general says, ahead of talks in Brussels.

“We will assess the latest developments and their implications for the security of the alliance. This is particularly relevant in view of the recent violations of Nato’s airspace by Russian aircraft” he noted.

Jens Stoltenberg says he is concerned about Russia’s use of cruise missiles as well as air strikes, and its increased military presence of Russia in Syria.

NATO member Turkey says Russian jets have violated its airspace recently.

Mr Stoltenberg urged Moscow to stop backing Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and said NATO is ready to send troops to Turkey to defend against threats on its southern flank, following violations of Turkish airspace by Russian jets conducting airstrikes in Syria.

However, Moscow denies Western accusations insisting that its strikes have hit Islamic State (IS) infrastructure, and other militant groups.

Moscow’s growing military involvement in the Syria conflict – which on Wednesday involved its jets backing an offensive by ground troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad – is expected to be high on the agenda of a meeting of the alliance’s defence ministers.

“I call on Russia to play a constructive and cooperative role in the fight against ISIS. Not to continue to support the Assad regime” NATO chief urged.

U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter and his counterparts from the 27 other NATO nations had already been scheduled to meet Thursday in Brussels.