Erdogan: Turkey gearing up to strike IS group in Syria

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, poses for photographs with military chiefs of Balkan nations following his speech at their conference, in Istanbul Wednesday, May 11, 2016. Erdogan said Turkish forces have killed some 3,000 Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, insisting that no other country has matched Turkey's efforts against the extremist group. At the same meeting earlier however, the Turkish military chief, put the number of IS militants killed Syria and Iraq at 1,300. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (The Associated Press)

ANKARA – Turkey's president says his country is gearing up to "clear" the Syrian side of its frontier in response to cross-border fire from the Islamic State group.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday Turkey was making the necessary preparations "due to the difficulties in Kilis."

Kilis, a town in southern Turkey across the border from IS-held territory in Syria, has witnessed multiple rocket attacks this year which authorities blame on IS.

Cross-border fire from Syria has claimed 21 lives and wounded dozens of others in Kilis.

Erdogan said his country is prepared to act alone. He complained Turkey has not received the desired support from its allies.

Turkey is home to a strategic air base, Incirlik, which the U.S-led coalition uses to launch bombing runs against IS militants.