Erdogan voices Turkey ready to support U.S. military action in Syria

ANKARA—Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday said he welcomed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump considering military action in Syria, and Turkey is ready to support the move if it was launched.

“I thank Trump (for his remarks) but it should not remain unfulfilled. If an action will really be put forward, we are ready to do our part,” Erdogan told in an interview with private broadcaster Kanal 7.

Trump told some members of the U.S. Congress late Thursday that he is considering military intervention in Syria after the alleged chemical attack in Idlib, according to CNN’s report.

On Wednesday, Turkey sent a letter to the United Nations to urge accountability for Damascus over the chemical weapons attack in Idlib, which killed at least 100 people and injured more than 500.

“The use of chemical weapons cannot be allowed to continue with impunity any further,” the letter read.

Syrian opposition claimed Tuesday the government forces had used chemical weapon against civilians in the Idlib attack, while Damascus strongly rejected the claims.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “groundless” accusations over a Syrian chemical attack are “unacceptable,” amid Western efforts to pressure Damascus with a new United Nations Secretary.