Today’s Zaman:
“We are prepared to sustain the current deployment site in a cold-basing status to facilitate future deployments of US Patriots,” a spokesperson from the Pentagon told web portal Sputnik last week. “If needed, we are prepared to return Patriot assets and personnel to Turkey within one week,” the unnamed official said.
On Aug. 16, the US announced its intention to withdraw US-owned Patriot missile batteries stationed in Turkey’s Gaziantep province. “The United States has informed the Turkish government that the U.S. deployment of Patriot air and missile defense units in Turkey which expires in October will not be renewed beyond the end of the current rotation. Other relevant Allies have also been consulted,” said a joint statement issued by the US and Turkish governments.
It continued: “The U.S. Patriots have been in Turkey as part of a broader NATO mission since 2013. They will be redeployed to the United States for critical modernization upgrades that will ensure the U.S. missile defense force remains capable of countering evolving global threats and protecting Allies and partners — including Turkey. This decision follows a U.S. review of global missile defense posture. The U.S. and NATO commitments to the defense of Allies — including Turkey — are steadfast.”
“If needed, the United States is prepared to return Patriot assets and personnel to Turkey within one week,” the statement also indicated….
