Tag: Kurecik

U.S. general confirms defense shield radar site in Turkey

The radar is a key element in a planned ballistic-missile-defense system that also would put other land- and sea-based radars and anti-missile interceptors in several European locations over the next decade.

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC
The Associated Press

PODGORICA, Montenegro — U.S. forces are now manning a new radar defense site in Turkey that could help defend Europe from a potential Iranian ballistic-missile attack, the U.S. Army’s commander in Europe said Sunday.

“We have the forces in place … at a radar site in southern Turkey,” Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling said in an interview at Montenegro’s main military airport in its capital.

It is the first time a senior U.S. commander has confirmed reports that the NATO defense-shield radar — which has caused tensions between Turkey and its Muslim neighbor Iran — has been operational in the past few weeks. The radar is a key element in a planned ballistic-missile-defense system that also would put other land- and sea-based radars and anti-missile interceptors in several European locations over the next decade.

“I can only speak for the ground base air-defense units,” Hertling said. “But I will tell you that we make constant coordination (with the U.S. Navy and Air Force), and I think we are well on track to conduct missile defense.”

The deal with Turkey last year to station the sophisticated radar on its territory was hailed by U.S. officials as the most significant military cooperation agreement between the United States and Turkey, NATO’s biggest Muslim member, since 2003, when Turkey angered American officials by refusing to allow an armored division to cross Turkish territory to join the invasion of Iraq.

In addition to the radar in Turkey, the defense shield will contain interceptor missiles stationed in Romania and Poland, four ballistic missile-defense-capable ships in Rota, Spain, and an operational headquarters in Germany.

The X-band radar in Turkey is part of a system designed to intercept short- and medium-range missiles at extremely high altitudes. It is located at a military base near Kurecik, a town about 435 miles west of the Iranian border.

Russia has threatened retaliatory moves if the United States goes ahead with plans regarding the elements of the missile-defense system in Eastern Europe. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has repeatedly dismissed the U.S. claim that the prospective missile shield is intended to counter the Iranian missile threat, saying that its real goal is to erode Russia’s nuclear deterrent.

Hertling was in Montenegro to visit U.S. crews flying two Black Hawk helicopters that are part of an aid operation in the areas of the tiny Balkan state hit by the heaviest snowfall in 60 years.

via Nation & World | U.S. general confirms defense shield radar site in Turkey | Seattle Times Newspaper.

February 27, 2012
Anti-NATO radar demo held in eastern Turkey – Tehran Times

Saturday’s protest was organized by a group named “Ankara Unity against NATO and Missile Shield,” which says it wants to inform the Turkish nation about the ‘true purposes’ behind the system, Press TV reported.

Turkey will install the U.S.-made radar in the Kurecik district of the eastern province of Malatya as part of a NATO missile system.

Kurecik is located 700 kilometers from the Iranian border.

The protesters called on Ankara to adopt independent policies and stop taking measures that would serve the interests of certain Western countries. The protesters claimed that some Western powers, led by Washington, plan to wage a war on Syria, and called on Ankara to avoid lending any support to the plot.

Turkish activists have held several similar protests to voice their opposition to the radar system, saying the station will be of no benefit to Turkey and will even endanger the country’s interests.

The protest rallies were triggered after the government officially declared in last September that it had struck a deal with NATO to host the radar station.

Observers say Turkey’s agreement to the installment of the NATO missile system and its harsh stance toward Syria is among the most controversial moves taken by the Turkish government over the past year.

Turkish activists have held many demonstrations across the country since Ankara expressed readiness to host the NATO missile system in the eastern province of Malatya in September.

Some leading Turkish politicians and lawmakers have warned that the system, which reportedly became operational earlier this year, will provide no benefit to Turkey but will only serve Israel’s interests.

In September, Ankara announced that it had agreed to allow the deployment of the X-Band radar system, developed by the United States for NATO, on its territory.

via Anti-NATO radar demo held in eastern Turkey – Tehran Times.

February 14, 2012
Report: Iran planning attacks on U.S. targets in Turkey

According to Turkish Zaman daily, a cell of the Quds Unit of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is planning to attack U.S. embassy in Ankara.

By Avi Issacharoff

The Turkish newspaper Zaman reported Tuesday that Turkish intelligence has warned that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is planning attacks on the American embassy and American consulates throughout the country.

According to the report, Turkey’s security forces have warned police in all 81 districts throughout the country, telling them to remain alert and vigilant.

Revolutionary Guard – AP – September 2011

In this Sept. 22, 2011 photo, members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard march just outside Tehran, Iran.

Photo by: AP

The report states that according to Turkish intelligence, it is likely that a cell of the Quds Unit of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is planning to break into the U.S. Embassy or one of its consulates. The intelligence further stated that the cell is planning on staying at a five-star hotel in the city in which the attack is being planned, cautioning forces to focus on foreigners residing in those hotels.

Moreover, the report states that Hezbollah may take part in such attacks against Americans.

According to Turkish intelligence, Iran is attempting to support the operations of small, illegal Turkish organizations in the wake of Turkey’s decision to establish a NATO radar within its territory, and due to Ankara’s condemnation of the Assad regime in Syria.

via Report: Iran planning attacks on U.S. targets in Turkey – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News.

January 18, 2012
Part of NATO missile defense system goes live in Turkey

By the CNN Wire Staff

January 16, 2012 — Updated 2234 GMT (0634 HKT)

Protesters in Turkey demonstrate against the deployment of a NATO early warning radar system in October.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

An early warning radar station is now operational in Malatya, Turkey, the foreign ministry says

Turkey is one of five countries that have agreed to deploy parts of NATO’s defense system

Russia and NATO remain at odds over the system

Istanbul, Turkey (CNN) — An early warning radar station that is part of NATO’s controversial missile defense system in Europe is now operational in Turkey, a foreign ministry spokesman said Monday.

The station is located in the city of Malatya, about 400 miles southeast of the capital Ankara, and is manned by both Turkish and U.S. personnel, the spokesman said.

Turkey is one of five countries that have agreed to deploy parts of the U.S.-designed defense system. Portugal, Poland, Romania and Spain have also agreed to participate.

NATO asked Russia to participate in the system but negotiations have been deadlocked over Russia’s demand for a legally binding treaty guaranteeing the shield would not be used as a deterrent to Moscow’s own systems. The United States and its European allies have insisted the system is directed toward countering ballistic missile threats from such Middle East countries as Iran.

Iran — Turkey’s eastern neighbor — has publicly objected to the NATO system. Ali Larijani, Iran’s speaker of parliament, repeated his opposition to it during a visit to Turkey last week.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said he hopes a political agreement with Moscow can be reached before a summit between NATO and Russia in Chicago this spring. That is when NATO is expected to declare an interim operational capability of the defense system.

The only Muslim-majority country in the NATO alliance, Turkey is a critical ally to the United States, both in the region and globally.

“The fact that they are willing to accept a defense radar system, I think it’s important for us to work closely with Turkey at this critical time because they can be an important ally and an important influence on the direction in the Middle East,” U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said last month during a visit to the Middle East.

CNN’s Ivan Watson and Elise Labott contributed to this report.

via Part of NATO missile defense system goes live in Turkey – CNN.com.

January 17, 2012
Turkey to improve its missile capabilities

The country’s Supreme Military Council will discuss the purchase of long range missiles to improve its national missile defense capabilities next week. Final approval for the plan will be made by the Defense Industry Implementation Committee by the end of the month.

Iran and Russia objected to Ankara’s decision to host an X-band radar system at a military base in Kurecik as part of a NATO-backed missile shield in the past. Iran threatened to hit NATO’s defense installations in Turkey if Iran is attacked by the United States or Israel. Russia also threatened to deploy missiles to target the missile defense system in Europe.

Turkey will acquire 13 missile batteries and 72 missiles if the purchase is approved.

December 9, 2011