Turkey’s response to Syria spills in to a second day of shelling

Turkey hits targets in Syria as they resume their reactionary attack, after Turkish citizens died on Wednesday...

14:20 04 October 2012

Thursday brings shelling on Syria for a second day, as Turkey break their 18-month silence and respond to fire from Syria. The news comes after five Turkish nationals were reportedly killed. It is understood that the Syrian troop death toll has since increased due to Turkey’s actions.

 

Turkish state media has confirmed the unrest continues, which arose because Turkey retaliated to shelling from Syria on Wednesday that resulted in deaths at the border. It is believed this is the first time Turkey has responded to Syria as a result of the continual unrest surrounding actions against President Bashar al-Assad.

 

A statement from the Turkish government has said: “Our armed forces at the border region responded to this atrocious attack with artillery fire on points in Syria that were detected with radar, in line with the rules of engagement.”

 

The town on the border, called Akcakale, reportedly saw a woman and three children lose their life as a result of Wednesday’s Syrian fire. With tensions escalating between the two countries, NATO stepped in - allegedly at the request of Turkey – to help with the situation.

 

The meeting, which was held in Brussels, reportedly had the outcome that NATO support Turkey with regard to this issue, although they would not want to intervene in the business of the two countries.

 

A statement from the Turkish government further read: “Turkey, acting within the rules of engagement and international laws, will never leave unreciprocated such provocations by the Syrian regime against our national security.”

 

According to Turkish media, as mentioned in a report by The Independent, Turkey are thought to have a paper ready to pass in parliament which will ask for permission to operate within Syria.