NATO has agreed to maintain Patriot missile batteries operated by Spain in southern Turkey to protect against potential threats from neighboring Syria for one more year after the term of the Spanish unit’s mission expires next month.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Spanish Patriots will remain in place until Jan. 25, 2017. Spain was previously set to call back its missile system on Jan. 27, 2016.

The decision came after Ankara urged NATO to beef up its air defenses following the tension with Russia after the Turkish Air Forces shot down a Russian warplane in late November.

Russia deployed an advanced S-400 air defense system in northern Syria, close to Turkish border, to reinforce its troops and to deter air forces operating in the area. Russian President Vladimir Putin, referring to Turkey, urged his commanders to take any measure against any threat to Russian forces in Syria.

NATO called for de-escalation and calm between two sides but also said in early December that the organization has discussed ways to bolster Turkey’s air defences.

Turkiye