NATO vows to continue fight against terrorism

Istanbul, Sep 13: NATO top commanders vowed to continue their fight against terrorism of any kind as they wrapped up a close-door meeting here on Saturday.

"Terrorism poses direct threats to NATO and international stability. It will remain the threats in the foreseeable future," NATO military committee chairman Petr Pavel said.

Turkish chief of general staff Hulusi Akar said: "these new risks force us to be decisive as never before. We brought our airbases into service, we are battling with any kind of terrorism with strong determination."

However, both generals withheld any detail information of military actions against the Islamic State (IS), Xinhua news agency reported.

Petr Pavel said NATO's 28 member states are against any kind of threats and will respond to challenges in both eastern and southern flanks, keeping all countries safe.

The meeting came at a time when tension between NATO and Russia over the Ukrainian crisis is mounting with an alliance decision to increase its deterrence in the Black Sea, Baltic Sea and Eastern Europe.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that it is sending humanitarian assistance, military supplies and advisers to Syria and will send additional aid if asked, thus raising the US concerns it will escalate the civil war and send even more migrants to Europe.

Russia's move comes after Bulgaria and Ukraine this week closed their airspace to Russian flights to Syria to stop any Russian military buildup there.

IANS