The Turkish government has announced its decision to submit motions to parliament requesting an extended mandate for military action in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State.
"The motions have not yet been sent to parliament. They may come tomorrow," Turkeys’ Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said on Monday.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said the motions will be debated on Thursday.
Turkey initially refused to join the US-led coalition, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Ankara's position has changed.
"We will hold discussions with our relevant institutions this week. We will definitely be where we need to be," Erdogan said on Sunday, adding, "We cannot stay out of this."
On Tuesday, Turkey's top general, Necdet Ozel, will speak to the cabinet, and Erdogan will chair a security summit on the issue.
The Turkish government is accused of providing heavy logistical support for the IS terrorists. Since the start of the crisis in Syria in 2011, Turkey has reportedly allowed its borders to be used as a conduit for aid, weapons and militants heading to Syria.
Turkey has reportedly been the main entry point for foreign militants who seek to join the IS in Iraq as well as Syria.
There have been at least 190 US airstrikes on IS targets in Iraq since bombing started there in August, according to statistics from US Central Command, which coordinates military activity in the region.
Since September 22, the US and its allies have been also conducting airstrikes against the IS inside Syria without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate. The airstrikes are an extension of the US-led aerial campaign against the IS positions in Iraq.
The IS terrorists currently control large swathes of territory across Syria and Iraq. They have carried out heinous atrocities in both countries, including mass executions and beheadings of people.
