Turkey Mulling Buffer Zone With Iraq, Syria -- Defense News

ANKARA — The Turkish military, feeling threatened by the emergence of a radical self-declared Islamist state at its doorstep, is considering creating a buffer zone along the country’s border with Syria and Iran, the president said on Tuesday.

“The Turkish Armed Forces are working on plans [to create a buffer zone] and will present them to us, and we will decide if it is necessary,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters.

A senior Army officer said headquarters is assessing the merits of a buffer zone, but added the government would make the final decision. He did not comment further.

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More News On Reports That Turkey Is Mulling A Buffer Zone With Iraq And Syria

Turkey mulls 'buffer zone' against Islamic State -- BBC
Turkey considers 'buffer zone' against Islamic State militants -- CTV/AP
Turkey mulls buffer zone along Iraq, Syria border -- Global Post/AFP
Turkey weighs establishing ‘buffer zone' against ISIL threat -- Today's Zaman
Turkey Renews Syria Buffer-Zone Push As U.S. Builds Coalition -- WSJ
Turkey Mulls Setting Up Buffer Zone Along Iraq, Syria Borders - President -- Novinite

Update #1: Turkey is now realizing that they are one of the reasons for the rise of the Islamic State .... Turkey provides steady stream of fighters to Islamic State (Haaretz)

Update #2: Up to 1000 Turks have joined IS: Report -- Al Bawaba