Turkey deploys additional troops on Syrian border

Turkey has deployed additional troops on its southeastern border with Syria as the United States considers launching a military offensive against the Arab country.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly stated that his country was ready to join any US-led aggression against neighboring Syria.

Erdogan was asked on Sunday what Turkey’s role would be in a possible US-led war coalition against Syria, he said, “Whether it would be as an opposing force or supplying forces to provide logistical support, all this would be determined by circumstances.”

Turkish media outlets reported on Sunday that several Turkish fighter aircraft flied over the area near the Syrian border due to “increased activity”.

The reports also said that Turkey has deployed tanks in the Kilis and Gaziantep provinces.

The Turkish military or the Ministry of Defense has not commented on the additional measures Turkey has taken in recent days on the Syrian border.

Meanwhile, Israel has also deployed its Iron Dome missile system in several cities as well as in areas near the Syrian border.

The missile batteries have been set up amidst Tel Aviv’s fears that Damascus might retaliate in case of a US military strike against it.

A former director of Israel’s security service has recently said that Tel Aviv has to make full preparations for a possible war anytime. Israel has also deployed two Iron Dome missiles near the Lebanese border.

The war rhetoric against Syria intensified after foreign-backed opposition forces accused the government of President Bashar al-Assad of launching the chemical attack on militant strongholds in the suburbs of Damascus on August 21.

Damascus has vehemently denied the accusations, saying the attack was carried out by the militants themselves as a false-flag operation.

On August 31, US President Barack Obama said he has decided that Washington must take military action against the Syrian government, which would mean a unilateral military strike without a UN mandate.

Obama said that despite having made up his mind, he will take the case to US Congress. But he added that he is prepared to order military action against the Syrian government at any time.

On Wednesday, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 10-7 in favor of a resolution authorizing the Obama administration to attack Syria.

Obama administration officials have embarked upon an extensive lobbying campaign on Capitol Hill, where US lawmakers in both chambers of Congress are expected to vote on a military action against Syria after they return from recess on September 9.