NATO: We are ready for the fight against terror alongside of Turkey

NATO ambassadors said they "stand in strong solidarity" with Turkey following a series of terrorist attacks in the country.

"Terrorism poses a direct threat to the security of NATO countries and to international stability and prosperity," the ambassadors said in a statement issued after talks in Brussels, which were held at the behest of Turkey.

NATO met on Tuesday at Turkey's request to hold consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, which states that "parties will consult whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the parties is threatened."

The ambassadors said they discussed "the threats against Turkey" and will continue to "very closely" follow developments on NATO's southeastern border.

"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations can never be tolerated or justified," the statement read, "The security of the alliance is indivisible, and we stand in strong solidarity with Turkey."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke later to the media about the meeting's conclusions, stating that "NATO is ready for the fight against terror alongside of Turkey."

Turkey has not requested further military support from NATO, Stoltenberg said.

"Turkey didn't ask for any additional military NATO presence in Turkey. Turkey is a staunch ally, Turkey has a very capable armed forces – the second-largest army within the alliance," he added.

Speaking before a flight to China, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told journalists at Ankara's Esenboğa Airport: "In case of any NATO member being attacked, NATO has to give support to the member country. Turkey, which is currently being attacked, is now exercising its right to self-defense and security and will continue to use it.

"We are using our rights under international law and will continue to use them. It is NATO's duty, which is why we demand NATO be prepared in this regard."

Last week, Turkey launched airstrikes against Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) targets in Syria and PKK camps in Iraq. Turkey has been hit by violence since a suicide bomb attack by a suspected ISIS supporter killed 32 activists in the southern town of Suruç on July 20.

Erdoğan added: "I expect NATO will declare its readiness to take steps to do its part," but did not specify what steps he expected Turkey's 27 NATO allies to take.

The Foreign Ministry published a press release on Sunday regarding its call to NATO. "In the wake of increased security threats following the attacks against our security and law-enforcement forces in the provinces of Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa and Kilis, in particular the terrorist attack that took the lives of 32 innocent Turkish citizens in Suruç on July 20, 2015, all necessary measures are being taken and in this context, operations are also being carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces," the ministry said in the statement.

More than 1,000 suspected ISIS, PKK and Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) supporters have been arrested since July 24 in counterterror operations throughout Turkey.