BALLISTIC MISSILE FIRED FROM IRAN TOWARD TURKIYE NEUTRALISED BY NATO DEFENCE SYSTEMS IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

ISTANBUL, March 9 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The Turkish Defence Ministry said on Monday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralised by NATO air and missile defence assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

In a statement shared on X, the ministry said some debris from the munition fell onto vacant land in Gaziantep, adding that there were no casualties or injuries.

The ministry added that Turkiye places “great importance on good neighbourly relations and regional stability,” stressing that “all necessary measures will be taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country’s territory and airspace.”

“We also reiterate that it is in everyone’s interest to heed Turkiye’s warnings in this regard.”

In a separate statement shared on X, Turkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran confirmed that the missile was “timely engaged and neutralised by NATO air and missile defence assets over the Sahinbey district of Gaziantep.”

“We once again strongly reiterate our warning to all parties, particularly Iran, to refrain from actions that could endanger regional security and put civilians at risk,” he said.

Last Wednesday, the Defence Ministry had said that a ballistic munition fired from Iran toward Turkish airspace was intercepted and neutralised by NATO air and missile defence units in the eastern Mediterranean.

The development came as Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran, killing more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU