Turkey votes to join foreign military operations in Iraq, Syria

UPDATED 1:13 p.m. EDT | Turkey’s parliament voted todayto allow its military forces to enter the fray against the Islamic State group.

The government submitted a proposal to the parliament Wednesday, seeking approval to expand government authority to deploy troops into both Syria and Iraq. If approved, the motion would also allow allied forces to use Turkish land for cross-border operations, including the possible launch of airstirkes from the country’s airbase near the southern city of Incirlik.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told parliament that he was in support of fighting the Islamic State and terrorism, but “tons of bombs dropped from the air will only delay the threat and danger.”

“Turkey is not a country in pursuit of temporary solutions nor will Turkey allow others to take advantage of it,” he added.