NATO says anti-missile defense for Turkey does not open door to Syria no-fly zone BRUSSELS - NATO agreed Tuesday to send new American-made air defenses to Turkey's volatile border with Syria, a boost to an alliance member on the front lines of the civil war and a potential backstop for wider U.S. or NATO air operations if Syria deteriorates further. The military alliance's approval of Patriot anti-missile batteries for southern Turkey represents NATO's first significant military involvement in the 20-month-long crisis, even if at the very margins. NATO and U.S. officials insisted that the system is entirely devoted to defending Turkey and is not a precursor to military intervention in Syria. The system would provide no protection for Syrian civilians or rebels fighting to unseat President Bashar al-Assad. "Turkey has asked for NATO's support, and we stand with Turkey in the spirit of strong solidarity," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said following approval by the 28-member alliance. "To the Turkish people we say, "We are determined to defend you and your territory." To anyone who would want to attack Turkey we say, "Don't even think about it." The Patriots will be part symbolic show of support for the NATO member most directly affected by the 20-month Syrian civil war and part hedge by the alliance against any future military intervention, something that has seemed highly unlikely until now. U.S. and NATO officials insist the surface-to-air system is entirely defensive and does not represent a change of heart for the alliance. Although it counts the 2011 Libya no-fly zone as a success NATO opposes similar action in Syria now.The Obama administration also remains opposed to intervention. "I want this to be absolutely clear: This deployment will be defensive only," Rasmussen said. It will in no way support a no-fly zone or any offensive operations, and it will contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the alliance's border. However, the system, likely to deploy early in 2013, could be repurposed as part of a wider air campaign or to provide air cover for action in Syria should NATO change its mind. Military experts said Patriots are as effective against aircraft as they are against missiles, and deploying the system at the border could be instrumental in quickly carving out a 25-mile buffer zone. No NATO nations had to expressly vote for the deployment, which some worry is a slippery slope. Instead, the decision was made by unanimous consent. NATO doesn't want to be drawn into the Syrian conflict, and the Obama administration remains opposed to intervention. In practice, the decision involves only the United States, Germany and the Netherlands - the three nations with Patriots or a parallel system. All three are expected to approve a limited number of the anti-missile batteries, probably with small contingents of service members to operate them. NATO is studying where to put the remotely operated system. However remote, the threat that a besieged Assad might resort to chemical weapons as anti-Assad rebels gain ground gave new urgency to NATO's debate.