BRUSSELS (AP) July 28, 2015 — The leader of Syria`s main political opposition group is urging NATO partners meeting in Brussels to support the establishment of a “safe zone” in northern Syria.
Khaled Khoja, who heads the Syrian National Coalition, says that would ensure civilians are protected from the Islamic State group and President Bashar Assad`s indiscriminate aerial bombardment.
NATO ambassadors are gathered Tuesday for an emergency session requested by Turkey to gauge the threat IS poses to Turkey and the actions Turkish authorities are taking in response.
Turkish and U.S. officials are discussing the creation of a safe zone near Turkey`s border, which would be cleared of IS group presence and turned into a secure area for Syrian refugees to return.
Khoja says a safe zone would be a “significant first step.”
Meanwhile; Saudi King Salman reaffirmed his country`s support for Turkey`s military actions against the Islamic State group and its right to defend itself against terror acts.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call on Tuesday to Salman, who is currently on holiday in France.
Salman reportedly told Erdogan that recent terrorist acts in Turkey confirm that the IS group and other terror organizations pose a threat to peace and security in the region and must be eliminated.