Turkey calls for lifting arms embargo on Syria militants

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says that Ankara supports lifting the arms embargo on foreign-sponsored militants in Syria as they are losing ground in their battles against government forces across the Arab country.

In an interview with the NTV news network, Davutoglu complained about the arms embargo on Syria, and called for the permit to supply armored vehicles, military equipment and technical aid to the Syrian militants, Today’s Zaman reported on Tuesday.

The Turkish foreign minister then claimed that he is not encouraging an armed fight between the two sides, stating that it would be a situation Turkey would never want to see.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday that he had spoken to Qatari leaders about the arms and ammunition going to Syria, and stated there are now “greater guarantees” that the weapons are getting into the hands of Syrian militants.

Last week, he pledged an additional $60 million in assistance for the foreign-backed opposition in Syria — the so-called Syrian National Coalition.

The Syria crisis began in mid-March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.

Damascus says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a large number of militants are foreign nationals.