NATO does not provide Ankara with sufficient support in the latter's fight against terrorism, which threatens the country's territorial integrity, Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said Wednesday.
"We are decisive about clearing Afrin [in northern Syria] of terrorists in order to protect security along our borders. Turkey will go to any length … However, NATO countries are not giving enough support to Turkey in its fight against terror elements threatening its territorial integrity," Canikli said at the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition Against the IS (Islamic State) in Rome, as quoted by Anadolu news agency.
Canikli stressed that Ankara had been contributing to the alliance for over 60 years.
Turkish AKP government officially declared on January 20 the launch of an offensive in Afrin region in northwest Syria. Government's excuse was the threat against national interests and border security.
