NATOSource

October 5, 2012

Israel says Syrian mortar strike on Turkey was attack on NATO

By Reuters

Israel says Syrian mortar strike on Turkey was attack on NATO

"Syria is in a horrible situation... and it must be stopped"

From ReutersIsrael‘s Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor said on Thursday a deadly Syrian mortar strike on a Turkish town had to be considered an attack on a member of the NATO alliance. . . .

"One has to say that according to the NATO treaty, it was an attack on a member of NATO, and that means France," Meridor told reporters during a visit to Paris, referring to France’s membership of NATO. . . .

"Syria is in a horrible situation, a civil war. Each day men, women and children are being killed and it must be stopped," Meridor said after meeting France’s foreign and defense ministers. . . .

Turkey’s government on Thursday said "aggressive action" against its territory by Syria’s military had become a serious threat to its national security and parliament approved the deployment of Turkish troops beyond its borders if needed.

Immediately after the incident, Ankara, which has the second-largest army in NATO, called a meeting of the organization’s North Atlantic Council.

Syria has apologized through the United Nations for the mortar strike in Turkey and said such an incident would not be repeated.  (photo: Reuters)

Image: reuters%2010%205%2012%20dan%20meridor.jpg