ALERT: NATO air defenses shoot down Iranian ballistic missile heading towards Türkiye
Sources confirm that the following story has emerged from the international scene.
A ballistic missile fired from Iran and heading towards Turkish airspace after passing through Syria and Iraq has been shot down by NATO air defenses in the eastern Mediterranean, according to the Turkish Defense Minister. The incident marks the first time that Turkey, a NATO member and Iran’s neighbor to the northwest, has been drawn into the growing conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, which already involves several countries in the region. The Ministry assures in a statement that there have been no victims or injuries in the incident, adding that Türkiye reserves the right to respond to any hostile action. “Our determination and ability to ensure the security of our country and our citizens is at the highest level.” In the statement they emphasize that “Turkey defends stability and regional peace”, but that “it is capable of guaranteeing the security of its territory and its citizens, no matter where the threat comes from.” We warn all parties to refrain from taking measures that could lead to the further expansion of conflicts in the region. In this context, we will continue to consult with NATO and our other allies, the statement said. Of course, the statement does not mention NATO Article 4, which establishes that the allies “shall consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of a member is threatened. NATO’s main anti-aircraft defense in Turkey are the Patriot missile batteries deployed in the country and operated by allies (including Spain, which has maintained a contingent with the Patriot system for years in support of Ankara). Since 2015, Spain has reinforced that shield with a Patriot battery deployed at the Incirlik base, just 8 kilometers from Adana, a key piece of the anti-missile defense on the southern flank and essential protection for the nearly two million civilians in the region. Incirlik air base is located about 1,050–1,100 kilometers as the crow flies from Tehran, practically on the front line of Iranian range. The Defense statement does not specify what the target of the Iranian missile could have been, but the trajectory described is consistent with a missile fired from western Iran towards the Incirlik military base, near Adana in southern Turkey, according to EFE Integrated into the support mission to Turkey, the Spanish unit – between 130 and 150 soldiers – maintains deployed means capable of intercepting air threats and ballistic missiles from Syria or Iran, shoring up the defense of a key base for operations. allies in the eastern Mediterranean. NATO condemnation NATO has reacted to the ballistic missile attack coming from Iran and directed towards Turkish territory. As reported by Reuters, the organization’s spokesperson, Allison Hart, condemned the attack and reaffirmed the Alliance’s support for Ankara. “NATO condemns Iran’s attack on Turkey. The Atlantic Alliance stands with all allies, including Turkey, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks in the region,” Hart stated. “Our deterrence and defense posture remains strong across the board, including air and missile defense capabilities,” he added.
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World leaders are expected to respond to these developments in the coming days.
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by El Español – Home and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.