Turkey deploys tanks and armored vehicles to reinforce its border with Syria

Turkey yesterday deployed tanks and armored vehicles to reinforce its border with Syria amid escalating violence by the Islamic State group, as parliament was set to consider whether to authorize military action against the jihadists. The army moved tanks and armored vehicles to the border town of Mursitpinar, which lies across from the key Kurdish town of Ain Al-Arab, after some stray bullets hit Turkish villages, sparking retaliation from Turkey’s military under its “rules of engagement”.

The government said yesterday it would shortly submit motions to parliament authorizing the armed forces to take action in Iraq and Syria, so Ankara can join the US-led coalition against the IS fighters. “The motions have not yet been sent to parliament. They may come tomorrow (Tuesday),” parliamentary speaker Cemil Cicek said.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said the motions will be debated on Thursday.