NATO has ruled out sending ground
troops to fight against Islamic State militants in Syria, NATO General
Secretary Jens Stoltenberg told a Swiss newspaper, stressing the need to
bolster local forces in the conflict.
"That is not on the agenda of
the coalition and the NATO allies," he told the Tages-Anzeiger paper when
asked about dispatching ground forces to accompany air strikes.
"The United States has a
limited number of special forces. In the foreground, however, is strengthening
local forces. This is not easy, but it's the only option," he added.
Stoltenberg stressed that the
conflict was not a war between the West and the Islamic world, but rather
against "extremism and terrorism".
"Muslims are on the front line
in this war. Most victims are Muslims, and most of those who fight against the
IS are Muslims. We can not carry on this struggle for them," he said.
Stoltenberg pointed out that NATO
would help Turkey improve its air defenses after Turkey shot down a Russian
military jet last month. The alliance will adopt a package of measures for
Turkey before Christmas, he added.
He emphasized the need to calm the
standoff with Russia after the plane was shot down.
Stoltenberg pointed out that NATO would help Turkey improve its air defenses after Turkey shot down a Russian military jet last month. The alliance will adopt a package of measures for Turkey before Christmas, he added.
He emphasized the need to calm the standoff with Russia after the plane was shot down.
