NATO Air Defences Intercept Turkish-Syrian Border Ballistic Missile

Turkish Ministry Reports Missile Interception Over Gaziantep

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence has confirmed that a ballistic missile launched from Iran was intercepted by NATO air defences over the Sahinbey district of Gaziantep in southern Turkey on Monday. According to the ministry, no casualties or damage were reported as a result of the incident.

In a statement, Ankara emphasized its commitment to protecting national airspace and border security, while urging all parties involved to refrain from actions that could endanger civilians or destabilize the region. The ministry’s warning comes amid growing concerns about the escalation of tensions between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.

This is the second time an Iranian ballistic missile has been fired towards Turkey since the conflict began on February 28. The US-Israeli attacks have prompted a wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes across the wider region, including targets in Arab Gulf countries.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that the military alliance had intercepted “a missile heading to Turkey”. NATO’s Article 5 states that an attack on one member country will be considered an attack on all, and the alliance has committed to taking action to restore and maintain security.

Iranian authorities have denied firing a ballistic missile towards Turkey, despite Turkish authorities’ claims of an interception. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and its regional neighbours, as well as the US-Israel alliance.

Source: Al Jazeera