In late June, there was speculation in the media that Turkey might intervene militarily in northern Syria to prevent Syrian Kurds from setting up their own state there, following gains made by Kurdish militants in the fight against the Islamic State.
This week, Turkey has positioned additional special forces and equipment along its Syrian border following the escalation of fighting in the north of Syria.
"It’s correct that we have taken precautions to protect our border. If there’s any circumstance across the border that threatens Turkish security, orders to act have been given. No one should have the expectation that Turkey will enter Syria tomorrow or in the near term," Davutoglu told the channel Kanal 7 Thursday.
Syria has been plagued by a civil war since 2011, with the government battling several insurgent groups, including the Islamic State and the Nusra Front. According to UN officials, the four-year-long internal conflict has claimed more than 220,000 lives throughout Syria.
