Turkey on alert over attacks on Syrian Turkmens

Turkey has boosted diplomatic efforts to protect Turkmens in Syria from increased attacks by the Russian and Syrian armies, amid concerns that they could face even tougher days if these military operations would not stop. 

Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu convened a security summit with the participation of senior military, political and intelligence officials, but had to cut it short due to the election of the Parliament Speaker at parliament. 

Among the participants were Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, foreign and interior ministers Feridun Sinirlio?lu and Selami Alt?nok, Gendarmerie Forces Commander Gen. Galip Mendi, and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Hakan Fidan.

Sources from the Prime Ministry said the meeting was focused on developments in Syria, with particular attention on the attacks on Syrian Turkmens over the last five days, CNN Türk reported on Nov. 22. 

Participants reportedly reviewed developments in Syria in detail and analyzed the measures Turkey could take in order to protect Turkmens. 

The recent Russian-Syrian offensive came shortly after Turkey and the U.S. announced plans to launch operations between the Mare-Jarablus line in northern Syria, with the objective of clearing the area of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).  

Davuto?lu closely following developments

Sources stressed that developments were being closely followed by Ankara, with Prime Minister Davuto?lu being kept informed by General Akar and M?T chief Fidan over the weekend.

An intense Russian aerial campaign supported by ground forces of the Bashar al-Assad regime targeted Turkmens in northwestern Syria, near the Turkish border, with the objective of seizing control of strategic...