MPs in Turkey have passed a bill allowing the country's army to carry out operations against Sunni militant group Islamic State (IS) outside the country.

The motion comprises the territories of Syria and Iraq, the two countries where IS is based and which have the longest border with Turkey.

For days now militants have fired across the border, occasionally shelling into Turkey, hitting objects such as houses and a refugee camp.

Under Thursday's motion interventions are authorized for a year, starting October 4.

At the same time the approved document grants permission to the US-led international coalition to use Turkish territory for operations against the jihadists. International forces are also given the green light to be deployed to Turkish military bases, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Ankara had refused to adopt a tougher stance on IS for months, but took a U-turn after tens of its citizens held hostage by the extremist organization in Iraq were freed.

Lawmaker backed the motion 298-98, with the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party (HDP) voting against. The former argues Ankara is actually targeting Bashar Assad's regime in Syria, while the latter says the bill is just an act of "showing off", while Turkey is allegedly supporting IS.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) firmly stood behind the bill, alongside the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

A protest was staged over a potential "yes" vote outside Parliament while MPs were having their say.

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