ANKARA
Turkey's foreign minister has called on citizens not to be provoked by the latest pro-Kurdish protests concerning the situation in Kobani.
Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed on Thursday that Turkey was on Kobani's side, amid nationwide protests sparked because of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, militants penetrating the Syrian Kurdish border town, also known as Ayn al-Arab, on Monday.
"Our brothers –citizens of Kurdish origin -- who are battling among themselves to benefit the current situation and who are trying to damage public property, must know that Turkey is on Kobani's side," Cavusoglu said during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The protesters claim that the Turkish government has allegedly done nothing to halt the relentless advance of militant group in the Syrian city, which has become a scene of fierce street battles between Kurdish groups and ISIL. At least 23 people have been killed in demonstrations across Turkey since Tuesday.
The foreign minister said it was not "realistic" to expect Turkey to hold a military operation in the war-torn region, on its own, as talks with allies concerning the situation with ISIL are still ongoing.
"Once a co-decision has been taken, Turkey will not be reluctant to do its part," he said.
The foreign minister also reiterated the importance of establishing a no-fly zone and a safe haven in Syria near the Turkish border which are priorities if Turkey is to take part in an international coalition against the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group in Iraq and Syria.
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