This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29455204

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Islamic State: Turkey MPs back Iraq-Syria deployment Islamic State: Turkey MPs back Iraq-Syria deployment
(35 minutes later)
Turkey's parliament has backed a motion allowing its military to enter Iraq and Syria to fight Islamic State (IS) militants. Turkey's parliament has backed a motion allowing its military to enter Iraq and Syria to join the campaign against Islamic State (IS) militants.
The resolution will also permit foreign troops to use Turkish territory for the operation. The resolution - passed with a three-quarters majority - will also permit foreign troops to use Turkish territory for the operation.
The motion was passed with 298 MPs in favour and 98 against. Turkey has been under pressure to play a more active role in the US-led fight.
Turkey had been unwilling to fight IS militants because they were holding 46 Turkish hostages - but they were released last month. The government dropped its reluctance to combat IS militants directly after the release of 46 hostages last month.
Turkey is also wary of retaliation by IS and fears helping the Kurds who are fighting the militants. The Turkish citizens had been held by IS in northern Iraq.
Protesters demonstrated outside parliament as the debate began. However, Turkey still remains wary of retaliation by IS and also fears helping Kurds, who are fighting the militants. Turkey has fought a long civil war with its Kurdish minority.
Porous border
Protesters demonstrated outside parliament as the debate began but the motion was passed with 298 MPs in favour and 98 against.
It provides a legal framework for the Turkish military to launch incursions into Syria and Iraq, as well as for foreign troops to be stationed in Turkey as part of the same campaign.
Asked what action Turkey might take now, Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz told Associated Press news agency: "Don't expect any immediate steps."
Turkey has a porous and vulnerable border with Syria, more than 900km (560 miles) long.Turkey has a porous and vulnerable border with Syria, more than 900km (560 miles) long.
Turkey has long been accused of permitting the flow of jihadists and resources into Syria as well as allowing IS to traffic oil from oilfields it has captured. The government in Ankara denies the allegations.Turkey has long been accused of permitting the flow of jihadists and resources into Syria as well as allowing IS to traffic oil from oilfields it has captured. The government in Ankara denies the allegations.
The approval of parliament could also enable the US to use its large airbase at Incirlik in southern Turkey for air strikes.The approval of parliament could also enable the US to use its large airbase at Incirlik in southern Turkey for air strikes.
Speaking in parliament earlier on Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the West to find a long-term solution to the crises in Syria and Iraq, pointing out that dropping "tonnes of bombs" on IS militants would only provide a temporary respite.Speaking in parliament earlier on Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the West to find a long-term solution to the crises in Syria and Iraq, pointing out that dropping "tonnes of bombs" on IS militants would only provide a temporary respite.
While he said "an effective struggle" against IS would be a priority for Turkey, "the immediate removal of the administration in Damascus" would also continue to be its priority. While he said "an effective struggle" against IS would be a priority for Turkey, "the immediate removal of the administration in Damascus" would also continue to be key.
He has repeatedly called for a buffer zone on the Turkish border inside Syria - enforced by a no-fly zone - to ensure security.He has repeatedly called for a buffer zone on the Turkish border inside Syria - enforced by a no-fly zone - to ensure security.
Turkish newspapers suspicious of vote plan
IS militants have advanced to within a few kilometres of the Kurdish town of Kobane, on the Syrian border with Turkey.IS militants have advanced to within a few kilometres of the Kurdish town of Kobane, on the Syrian border with Turkey.
Imprisoned Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan was reported by Reuters on Thursday to have warned that peace talks between his group and the Turkish state would end if IS militants were allowed to carry out "a massacre" in Kobane.Imprisoned Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan was reported by Reuters on Thursday to have warned that peace talks between his group and the Turkish state would end if IS militants were allowed to carry out "a massacre" in Kobane.
The Islamic State advance close to the border has prompted thousands of Kurdish refugees fleeing the fighting in Syria to enter Turkey, which is already hosting more than a million Syrian refugees.The Islamic State advance close to the border has prompted thousands of Kurdish refugees fleeing the fighting in Syria to enter Turkey, which is already hosting more than a million Syrian refugees.
The IS campaign has also raised fears for the safety of Turkish special forces troops in Syria guarding the mausoleum of Suleyman Shah, the grandfather of Osman I, who founded the Ottoman Empire. The tomb is in a small enclave some 30km (18 miles) south of the Turkish border.The IS campaign has also raised fears for the safety of Turkish special forces troops in Syria guarding the mausoleum of Suleyman Shah, the grandfather of Osman I, who founded the Ottoman Empire. The tomb is in a small enclave some 30km (18 miles) south of the Turkish border.
Mr Erdogan denied reports on Wednesday that the tomb had been surrounded by militants.Mr Erdogan denied reports on Wednesday that the tomb had been surrounded by militants.
Turkish newspapers suspicious of vote plan
What is Islamic State (IS)?What is Islamic State (IS)?