NATO began deploying Patriot missiles in Turkey yesterday to defend against threats from neighboring Syria, the US military’s European Command (EUCOM) said.

US military personnel and equipment arrived at Incirlik Air Base in southeastern Turkey to support NATO’s Patriot battery deployment at Ankara’s request, EUCOM, based in the southwestern German city of Stuttgart, said in a statement.

The US will transport some 400 troops to Turkey in the next several days to operate two Patriot batteries supporting NATO’s mission there. Additional equipment will arrive by sea later in January. “The deployment of six Patriot batteries, including two each from Germany and The Netherlands, is in response to Turkey’s request to NATO,” EUCOM said. “The forces will augment Turkey’s air defense capabilities and contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the Alliance’s border.”

EUCOM deputy commander Charles Martoglio said the Patriot batteries would fall under NATO command “when setup is complete and the systems are operational in the next several weeks.”

“The deployment will be defensive only and will not support a no-fly zone or any offensive operation,” EUCOM added.