Ankara’s move to Chinese air systems appals NATO allies

Ankara leans toward selecting Chinese long-range anti-missile and air defense systems while NATO allies look shocked by the possibility of the decision

Turkey’s western allies look puzzled by a looming decision by Ankara to select Chinese long-range anti-missile and air defense systems which they think cannot be integrated into the NATO-sponsored early warning architecture currently deployed on Turkish soil.

“That would certainly leave many of us speechless,” said one senior diplomat from a NATO country. “Turkey has every right to choose its own air defense system but we do not quite understand the logic of opting for a Chinese system with no interoperability with the existing [NATO] assets.”

Turkey Warns Syria It May Use ‘Greater Force’

As fighting near the 550-mile border has unfolded over the past week, several mortar bombs have landed on Turkish soil, prompting Turkish gunners to return fire. It has not been clear whether the Syrian mortar is deliberate or the result of inaccurate fire in clashes between government forces and rebels seeking the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey returns fire ‘after fresh Syria shelling’

…and now for a second time. These recent escalations can only continue for so long before it turns into a full-scale war, which will likely light the entire middle east on fire.

Turkey’s military has returned fire across the border after a Syrian mortar round again landed on Turkish soil, television channels say.

The incident happened in southern Hatay province on Friday afternoon, Turkish media said. No injuries were reported.

On Wednesday Syrian mortar fire killed five Turkish civilians in the town of Akcakale.