Erdogan tells parliament to OK military action

The Turkish government believes the Syrian crisis is a threat to the country's security and has asked parliament to approve cross-border military operations, the day after Syrian mortar fire struck the Turkish town of Akcakale, killing five people. The government presented on Thursday a "Prime Ministry Motion" to the Turkish parliament which authorizes the government for a year to send Turkish troops abroad regarding Syria issue, as Anatolia news agency reports. Signed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the motion says: "Ongoing crisis in Syria affects the stability and security in the region and now the escalating negativeness affects our national security. Syrian armed forces have been holding assailant acts under the name of military operations into Turkish land despite our several warnings and diplomatic tries since September 20, 2012. This situation risks and threatens our national security. In this respect, the need of taking precautions and acting quickly against any threats to Turkey has arisen. In the framework of the situation, according to Article 92 of the Turkish Constitution, we kindly ask Turkish parliament to discuss a motion that authorizes the government for a year to send Turkish troops to foreign countries."