ANKARA
The Turkish government's willingness to join an international coalition against the Syrian regime met with objection from the opposition parties arguing that the government needs a new mandate. The government objected that a prior permission allows them to join an anti-Syrian bloc, as the mandate expires on 4 October 2013.
An international effort to take military action against the Syrian regime gained momentum after Damascus attacked civilians with chemical weapons which left 1,300 people dead. The Turkish government declared its intention to join an international coalition and noted that it had received a mandate for military operations against Syria.
However, opposition parties such as the Republican People's (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are arguing that the government needs a brand new mandate in order to participate in an anti-Syrian alliance. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Turkish media that the government had a strong mandate authorizing the Turkish army and its government to take necessary measures against threats from Syria. "However if events dictate different needs, we will ask parliament for a mandate," Davutoglu said.
The government had received the Turkish parliament's approval to take action against Damascus after a Syrian military missile which landed in Akcakale, Hatay killed 5 people in 2012.
The motion says: “The ongoing crisis in Syria affects stability, and security in the region and now the escalating animosity affects our national security. The Syrian armed forces have been conducting assaults as part of military operations nto Turkish land despite our several warnings and diplomatic overtures since Sept. 20, 2012. This situation threatens our national security. In this respect, the need for taking precautions and acting quickly against any threats to Turkey has arisen. In the framework of the situation, under Article 92 of the Turkish Constitution, we kindly ask Parliament to discuss a motion that authorizes the government for a year to send Turkish troops into foreign countries."
The motion was approved by the Turkish parliament on October 3rd, 2012.
