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Image posted, EPA
The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey, its counterpart in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), for the deployment of a Russian-made missile defense system, which it acquired last year.
The United States says Russia’s S-400 surface-to-air missile systems are incompatible with NATO technology and pose a threat to the alliance.
The sanctions announced by the US State Department are targeting the arms buying sector in Turkey.
Turkish and Russian officials condemned the U.S. move.
The United States has already excluded Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program, due to the purchase of the Russian missile system.
What is the United States opposed to?
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement: “The United States has made it clear to Turkey at the highest level and on numerous occasions that the purchase of the S-400 (missile) system will threaten the security of the technology and US military personnel, and it will save huge funds for the Russian defense sector, as well as Russia’s presence in the military and industry. Turkish defense “.
“However, Turkey decided to go ahead with the purchase and testing of S-400 (systems), despite the availability of alternative interoperable systems from NATO, to meet its defense requirements,” he added.
Pompeo urged Turkey to “resolve the S-400 problem (s) immediately, in coordination with the United States.”
He added: “Turkey is a valuable ally and an important regional and security partner for the United States, and we seek to continue our history, dating back to decades of fruitful cooperation in the defense sector, after removing the barrier to Turkish ownership. of the S-400 (systems) as soon as possible. “
The sanctions affect the head of Turkey’s Defense Industries Directorate, Ismail Demir, and three other employees.
These include banning US export licenses and freezing all assets subject to US jurisdictions.
What is the Turkish position?
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry called on the United States to “reconsider this unfair decision,” adding that Turkey “stands ready to address the issue through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the spirit of the alliance.”
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has warned that the US sanctions “will inevitably negatively affect” relations between the two sides, and that Turkey will “respond in an appropriate and timely manner.”
Ankara claimed that the purchase of the Russian missile system came after the United States refused to supply it with American Patriot missiles.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the US decision, describing it as “another manifestation of arrogance towards international law” and “evidence of the unilateral and coercive measures used by the United States for many years, decades now, from left to right.” .
What is the importance of Turkey?
The Turkish army is the second largest in the 30-member NATO military alliance.
Turkey is one of the main allies of the United States and enjoys a strategic location, on the borders with Syria, Iraq and Iran.
Turkey has played an important role in the Syrian conflict by providing weapons and military support to some opposition factions.
Despite this, relations between Turkey on the one hand and some members of NATO and the European Union on the other hand, who accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of adopting an increasingly authoritarian style after the failed coup against him in 2016.
How does it workSystems S-400?
- Long-range surveillance radar tracks objects and transmits information to the driving vehicle, which assesses potential targets.
- The target is identified and the command vehicle orders the launch of the missile.
- The data is sent to the launch vehicle, which launches the surface-to-air missiles.
- Combat radar helps guide missiles towards a target.
