Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in Idlib, Syria, the North Atlantic Alliance will hold consultations as a matter of urgency.
This statement was made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. His words were quoted by the press service of the military bloc.
“The North Atlantic Council at the level of ambassadors of 29 alliance countries will meet on Friday at the request of Turkey to hold consultations on the situation in Syria in accordance with Article 4 of the Washington Treaty”, – Stoltenberg said.
Recall that in accordance with Article 4, each NATO member state has the right to hold meetings with the bloc partners in case “their security, territorial integrity or political independence is under threat.
Situation in Syria and declaration of war
On the eve, Turkish soldiers came under fire in Idlib province. As a result, several dozen soldiers were killed. In response, Turkey has already launched “revenge strikes” against the Syrian Arab army and promised to build up its forces in Idlib, where Turkish troops are completely illegal.
In addition, an emergency meeting and speech of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the announcement of the declaration of war on Syria is expected soon in Ankara.
NATO’s response remains ambiguous. Despite the fact that Turkey has a reason to demand help, the alliance demonstrates its unwillingness to get involved in the conflict on the side of the ally. Earlier, NATO sources confirmed that the bloc’s member countries are not considering applying Article 5 of NATO’s Collective Security Charter to the conflict in Syria. At the same time, NATO expressed confidence that the Turkish army itself is capable of coping with the situation.
The position of the alliance countries is understandable, because for them the Syrian conflict can turn into a war with Russia, which is clearly not ready in the West.