13/03/2026
Share:
13/03/2026
Share:
ANKARA, March 13: Air defense systems operated by NATO intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran over Turkey early Friday, marking the third such interception since the start of the war, according to Turkish officials.
The Ministry of National Defence (Turkey) said the missile was destroyed by NATO air defenses deployed in the eastern Mediterranean region. Residents in the southern city of Adana reported hearing a loud explosion and sirens at Incirlik Air Base, a military installation used by U.S. forces, during the early hours of Friday. No casualties were reported.
The incident comes as NATO recently reinforced regional defenses by deploying an additional MIM-104 Patriot air defense system in the southeastern province of Malatya Province, where the Kürecik Radar Station is located.
In a statement issued Thursday, Turkey’s defense ministry stressed that Incirlik Air Base remains a Turkish military base, emphasizing that the presence of foreign troops does not change its status. The clarification appeared to respond to warnings from Tehran urging regional countries not to host U.S. military bases.
