Turkish Parliament Allows Cabinet to Attack Syria

Turkish lawmakers attend an emergency session to discuss a bill authorizing the military to launch cross border operations in Syria, in Ankara, Turkey, 04 October 2012. EPA/BGNES

Turkey's Grand National Assembly has give a green light to the government for military intervention in Syria, following recent cross-border skirmishes between the two countries.

The mandate given by the Turkish Parliament to the cabinet allows it to intervene in Syria at its own discretion, and extends over a period of one year.

The motion was passed with 330 votes out of 520 MPs in the Meclis.

Turkey's deputy-PM Besir Atalay has commented on the decision, saying it does not constitute a mandate for war, and is expected to have a deterring effect.

The National Assembly had an emergency sitting Thursday at the request of cabinet, following a Syrian shell killed 5 Turkish citizens on Turkish border territory late Wednesday.

Turkey has already retaliated with a counter-strike.

NATO has issued a decision strongly deploring the act and supporting Turkey in the case, as has the Bulgarian government in particular.

The EU, on the other hand, has strongly called on both parties to refrain from violence.

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