Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced Thursday that Turkey will not participate in a ground mission to assist Iraqi forces in reclaiming the city of Mosul from Daesh, reports AFP.
"We would support Mosul but will not combat directly," Davutoglu announced.
However, if a situation arises that proves to be a direct threat to Turkey, the military will indeed intervene.
"If there is any direct threat to Turkey we will respond immediately. We have the potential and strength to do that," the Prime Minister continued in his statement.
Mosul is currently the largest city in Daesh's self proclaimed caliphate, with over 1 million residents.
Iraqi and Kurdish forces are preparing retake Mosul from Daesh in April. Upwards of 20,000 troops will be deployed take the strategic city, which was captured by Daesh in June 2014.
By Haley Rodgers
