Officials say Syria has asked Turkey for defense support amid sectarian clashes

ANKARA Turkey AP Syria s interim ruling body has requested Turkey s backing to strengthen its defense capabilities Turkish agents reported following sectarian violence over the past two weeks that increased tensions in Syria and drew intervention by Israel The defense ministry functionaries who spoke on condition of anonymity according to procedures mentioned Wednesday that Syria has also sought assistance to combat terrorist organizations including the Islamic State group Turkey which has long expressed readiness to assist Syria was working toward providing training advisory services and technical advocacy to help strengthen Syria s defense ceiling the administrators added Syrian representatives could not be right away reached for comment Source