IZMIR
NATO Allied Land Commander Gen. Frederick Ben Hodges has said that Patriot was a defense system, and it was impossible to establish a no-fly zone or stage an attack by using this system.
Gen. Hodges replied questions of reporters regarding Turkey's demand for Patriots from NATO during the introductory meeting for the NATO Allied Land Command which will become operational in Turkey's western Izmir province on Friday.
Turkey's demand was assessed by North Atlantic Council, said Gen. Hodges, adding that Patriot was a defense system, and it was impossible to establish a no-fly zone or stage an attack by using this system.
Gen. Hodges said that a decision had not been made yet about Turkey's demand, adding that 28 NATO members should all approve it.
But, theoretically, I don't see a reason for any member to oppose the demand, he added.
A NATO team has recently assessed possible sites to install Patriot missiles in order to protect Turkey's border with Syria as NATO-member Turkey asked allies to deploy the missiles as a defense against any aerial attack from Syria after mortar rounds and shells from Syria struck Turkish territory.
A NATO team visited military facilities in Turkey's eastern Malatya province which is already home to an early warning radar that is part of NATO's missile defense system, which is capable of countering ballistic missile threats from Iran.
Germany, the Netherlands and the U.S. have the advanced PAC-3 model Patriots that Turkey wants to intercept ballistic missiles.
Syria's conflict started 20 months ago as an uprising against President Bashar Assad. It quickly morphed into a civil war killing at least 40,000 people so far.
Turkey's border is NATO's border
Hodges has said that Turkey's border is NATO's border.
Gen. Hodges replied questions of reporters during the introductory meeting for the NATO Allied Land Command which will become operational in Turkey's western Izmir province on Friday.
When asked how NATO acts in case of a sudden attack on Turkey, Gen. Hodges said that Turkey's border was NATO's border, and in case of a sudden attack, North Atlantic Council immediately convened without any delay.
Gen. Hodges said that Turkey had been one of the important and valuable members of NATO thanks to its geographical location and military contributions since NATO was established.
Noting that NATO Allied Land Command was moved to Izmir with the joint decision of 28 members, Gen. Hodges said that members one more time confirmed the importance of Turkey.
