NATO calls emergency meeting at Turkey’s request

NATO Security General Jens Stoltenberg called an emergency meeting of the North Atlantic Council to discuss security on 28 July 2015 at the request of Turkey after a suicide bombing hit the country and Turkish security operations started against Islamic State and PKK Kurdish militants.

This meeting was held under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, in which members are encouraged to bring subjects to the table for discussion for political consultation.

'We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks against Turkey and express our condolences to the Turkish government and the families of the victims killed in the recent terrorist actions,' NATO ambassadors said in a statement after the meeting in Brussels.

Separately to the NATO meeting, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan said on the 28 July 2015 that his country could not continue the peace process with the Kurds amid attacks by Kurdish militants on Turkish targets. The EU and its Member States generally called for 'a proportionate use of military force' in the action against Kurdish militants.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Turkey bombs Islamic State targets in Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-bombs-islamic-state-targets-in-syria/

NATO: Press Release, 26.07.15: Secretary General announces North Atlantic Council to meet following Turkey's request for Article 4 consultations http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_121898.htm

EUObserver, 27.07.15: Turkey requests emergency Nato meeting on Syria https://euobserver.com/foreign/129772

BBC News, 26.07.15: Turkey calls Nato talks on IS and PKK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33668230

Hürriyet Daily News, 27.07.15: Turkey launches new strikes on PKK as NATO meeting called http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-launches-new-strikes-on-pkk-as-nato-meeting-called.aspx?PageID=238&NID=85968&NewsCatID=359

The Wall Street Journal, 26.07.15: Turkey to Consult With NATO on ISIS, PKK Strikes http://www.wsj.com/articles/turkey-to-consult-with-nato-on-isis-pkk-strikes-1437940961

Deutsche Welle, 27.07.15: NATO prepares as Turkey calls security meeting http://dw.com/p/1G51C

BBC News, 27.07.15: Turkish PM: No plans to send ground troops into Syria http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33671436

Today's Zaman, 26.07.15: NATO calls emergency meeting after Turkish request http://www.todayszaman.com/latest-news_nato-calls-emergency-meeting-after-turkish-request_394684.html

EUObserver, 28.07.15: Turkey and Nato meet, plan IS-free zone https://euobserver.com/foreign/129782

Politico, 27.07.15: Europe and US divided on Turkish airstrikes http://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-attacks-kurds-isis-airstrikes-islamic-state-us-syria/

NATO: Press Release, 28.07.15: Statement by the North Atlantic Council following meeting under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_121926.htm

BBC News, 28.07.15: Kurdish peace 'impossible' - Turkey's Erdogan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33689660

Today's Zaman, 28.07.15: NATO holds rare emergency meeting at Turkey’s request, declares solidarity http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_nato-holds-rare-emergency-meeting-at-turkeys-request-declares-solidarity_394834.html

Deutsche Welle, 28.07.15: Turkey's 'IS' crackdown revives Kurdish conflict http://dw.com/p/1G5c3

BBC News, 28.07.15: Turkey v Islamic State v the Kurds: What's going on? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-33690060

NATO: Topics: The consultation process and Article 4 http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49187.htm

Politico, 28.07.15: NATO backs Turkish military action http://www.politico.eu/article/nato-turkey-kurds-strikes-iraq-isil-stoltenberg-ergodan/

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 28.07.15: Turkey convenes Nato meeting http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER167105-Turkey-convenes-Nato-meeting

EurActiv, 29.07.15: NATO backs Turkey on Islamic State, EU concerned about Kurds http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/nato-backs-turkey-islamic-state-eu-concerned-about-kurds-316678

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 29.07.15: Turkey gets backing from Nato http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER167184-Turkey-gets-backing-from-Nato

Today's Zaman, 29.07.15: PM Davutoğlu says Turkey under three pronged attack, vows to carry out further operations http://www.todayszaman.com/national_pm-davutoglu-says-turkey-under-three-pronged-attack-vows-to-carry-out-further-operations_394948.html

EUObserver [Opinion], 29.07.15: Turkey's dangerous gambit https://euobserver.com/opinion/129796

Hürriyet Daily News, 31.07.15: Ankara's hypocrisy provokes PKK terror (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE167289-Ankara-s-hypocrisy-provokes-PKK-terror

Today's Zaman, 31.07.15: HDP leader calls for return to settlement process negotiations to quell violence http://www.todayszaman.com/national_hdp-leader-calls-for-return-to-settlement-process-negotiations-to-quell-violence_395157.html

SETA: Opinion, 27.07.15: Turkey and the Fight Against ISIS http://setav.org/en/turkey-and-the-fight-against-isis/opinion/26928

SETA: Tag: Middle East http://setav.org/en/Topics/26/middle-east

Star, 03.08.15: HDP must force PKK to lay down arms (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE167401-HDP-must-force-PKK-to-lay-down-arms

Today's Zaman, 02.08.15: HDP leader calls for silencing arms, says state must remain armed to defend itself http://www.todayszaman.com/national_hdp-leader-calls-for-silencing-arms-says-state-must-remain-armed-to-defend-itself_395305.html

---