Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey was prepared for all necessary measures to tackle security threats along its borders, highlighting Ankara’s growing anxiety about conflict near its southern frontier in Syria, Reuters reports.
He was speaking on television late on Sunday, ahead of Monday’s meeting of a National Security Council meeting, where Syria was expected to top the agenda, and as local media reported Ankara was considering military steps to counter security risks from Syria.
Syrian Kurdish forces secured the town of Kobani near the Turkish border over the weekend, beating back Islamic State militants.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey would never allow formation of a Kurdish state along its southern borders.
“If any harm is to come to Turkey’s border security, if Turkey reaches the conclusion that this garden of peace is being threatened, it is prepared for any eventuality,” Davutoglu said in comments broadcast late on Sunday.
“We will take the necessary measures to reduce the risks related to cross-border security.”
The pro-government Star newspaper said a possible cross-border operation would be considered at the national security council meeting, citing unnamed sources.
One option that could be considered was the creation of a 110 km “secure zone” within Syria, the newspaper said.
