Islamic State: Turkey MPs back Iraq-Syria deployment

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There you have it - there will be NATO boots on the ground in Syria and Iraq in the fight against ISIS. And when they attack Turkey - a mere question of when - we're obligated by treaty to rush to their defense.

Islamic State: Turkey MPs back Iraq-Syria deployment

Turkey's parliament has backed a motion allowing its military to enter Iraq and Syria to join the campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants.

The resolution - passed with a three-quarters majority - will also permit foreign troops to use Turkish territory for the operation.

Turkey has been under pressure to play a more active role in the US-led fight.

The government dropped its reluctance to combat IS militants directly after the release of 46 hostages last month.

The Turkish citizens had been held by IS in northern Iraq.

However, Turkey still remains wary of retaliation by IS and also fears helping Kurds, who are fighting the militants. Turkey has fought a long civil war with its Kurdish minority.

Porous border

Protesters demonstrated outside parliament as the debate began but the motion was passed with 298 MPs in favour and 98 against.