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Subscribe to RSSTurkey has authorized further military action against Syria saying it is intended to be a deterrent and to protect Turkey. NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reports.
Updated at 6:46 p.m. ET: The United Nations Security Council on Thursday condemned a mortar attack by Syria on a Turkish border town that killed five people and demanded that "such violations of international law stop immediately and are not repeated.''
“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the shelling by the Syrian armed forces of the Turkish town of Akcakale, which resulted in the deaths of five civilians, all of whom were women and children, as well as a number of injuries. The members of the Security Council expressed their sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Turkey,” the Security Council said in a statement.
“The members of the Security Council underscored that this incident highlighted the grave impact the crisis in Syria has on the security of its neighbors and on regional peace and stability. The members of the Council demanded that such violations of international law stop immediately and are not repeated. The members of the Security Council called on the Syrian Government to fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors.”
The mortar attack happened on Wednesday and Turkey responded by striking targets in Syria later the same day and Thursday.
Seeking to unwind the most serious cross-border escalation in its 18-month-old crackdown on dissent, Damascus apologized through the United Nations for the shelling and said it would not happen again, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said.
Syria's staunch ally Russia said it had received assurances from Damascus that the mortar strike was a tragic accident.
But Turkey's government said "aggressive action" against its territory by Syria's military had become a serious threat to its national security and parliament approved the deployment of Turkish troops beyond its borders if needed.
"Turkey has no interest in a war with Syria. But Turkey is capable of protecting its borders and will retaliate when necessary," Ibrahim Kalin, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, said on his Twitter account.
"Political, diplomatic initiatives will continue," he said.
Esber Ayayadin / Anadolu Agency via EPA
Turkish soldiers and relatives of Gulsen Ozer, who was killed by a mortar bomb from Syria, attend her funeral in Turkey's southeastern border region of Akcakale, Sanliurfa, Turkey, on Thursday.
Turkey hit back after a mortar hit a residential neighborhood in Akcakale on Wednesday, killing a woman, her three daughters and another woman.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said several Syrian soldiers were killed in the Turkish retaliatory bombardment of a military post near Tel Abyad, a few miles across the frontier from Akcakale. It did not say how many soldiers died.
"We know that they have suffered losses," a Turkish security source told Reuters, without giving further details.
State Department: Missing American journalist believed held by Syrian regime
NATO said it stood by member nation Turkey and urged Syria to put an end to "flagrant violations of international law."
A mortar attack fired from Syrian territory killed five Turkish civilians, prompting Turkey to strike back. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
The U.S.-led Western military alliance held an urgent late-night meeting in Brussels to discuss the matter and in New York, Turkey asked the U.N. Security Council to take the "necessary action" to stop Syrian aggression.
In a letter to the president of the 15-nation Security Council, Turkish U.N. Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan called the firing of the mortar bomb "a breach of international peace and security."
SANA via Reuters
A look back at the violence that has overtaken Syria.
'Risks to our national security'
Turkey's parliament had already been due to vote on Thursday on extending a five-year-old authorization for foreign military operations, an agreement originally intended to allow strikes on Kurdish militant bases in northern Iraq.
But the memorandum signed by Erdogan and sent to parliament overnight said that despite repeated warnings and diplomatic initiatives, the Syrian military had launched aggressive action against Turkish territory, presenting "additional risks."
"This situation has reached a level of creating a serious threat and risks to our national security. At this point the need has emerged to take the necessary measures to act promptly and swiftly against additional risks and threats," it said.
Syria's foreign minister says US, allies support 'terrorism'
A series of suicide bombings in Syria's largest city killed scores of people. State TV reported that three explosions rocked a government-controlled district in Aleppo. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports.
"Our armed forces in the border region responded immediately to this abominable attack in line with their rules of engagement; targets were struck through artillery fire against places in Syria identified by radar," Erdogan's office said in a statement late on Wednesday.
"Turkey will never leave unanswered such kinds of provocation by the Syrian regime against our national security."
Syria said it was investigating the source of the mortar bomb and urged restraint. Information Minister Omran Zoabi conveyed his condolences to the Turkish people, saying his country respected the sovereignty of neighboring countries.
Get a glimpse at the rebels fighting against Assad's forces in Syria's mountainous Jabal al-Zawiya area.
Some residents of Akcakale abandoned their homes close to the border and spent the night on the streets. Others gathered outside the local mayor's office, afraid to return to their homes as the dull thud of distant artillery fire rumbled across the town.
"We haven't been able to sleep in our own homes for 15 days, we had to sleep in our relatives' houses further away from the border because it's not safe down there," said shopkeeper Hadi Celik, 42, a father of five.
Washington sees Turkey as a pivotal player in backing Syria's opposition and planning for the post-Assad era. The White House said on Wednesday it stood by "our Turkish ally." But Ankara has found itself increasingly isolated and frustrated by a lack of international consensus on how to end the conflict.
Murad Sezer / Reuters
Turkish soldiers patrol near the Akcakale border gate on Thursday.
More Syria coverage from NBC News
Erdogan long cultivated good relations with Assad, but became a harsh critic after Syria's popular revolt began last year, accusing him of creating a "terrorist state." Erdogan has allowed Syrian rebels to organize on Turkish soil and pushed for a foreign-protected safe zone inside Syria.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Getting the Turks mad, is just plain stupid. Ask any Armenian. These guys make the Islamic Jihadists look tame!They can take care of the Syrians, if they are unleashed. They will chop off thier heads, and parade them around the streets. History has shown, that the Turks are ruthless. Bashar al-Assad should appologize on his knees to Turkey!!
So, just from symmetry considerations one should now expect Pakistan to attack the US, as after all we have been launching intentional targeted cross border ( drone ) attacks into Pakistan for some time - these killing many civilians. Yes, Pakistan, like Turkey, is supporting a cross border insurgency into a neighbouring state ( Afghanistan in case of Pakistan ) - this providing the justification for our actions. Bottom line - ambiguity/inconsistency of principle. A dangerous situation, and as in the mid east, we wonder why emotions roil and situations can and may spin out of control. As for the Turks, they may well rue this whole adventure as their own sectarian divides fracture - as per the Kurds who may actually fight back against oppression.
And Pakistan is going to attack the United States... how? I mean, if they wanted to justify such an attack, we could argue about that later, but an attack has to be plausible in the first place. Does Pakistan have any missiles that can clear the Pacific Ocean? I doubt it. Maybe they could bombard a US base in a different country, but then they're also attacking a third country for no reason (their artillery isn't that accurate). Not very likely.
We can't get involved everytime these animals start attacking each other. They're savages, what are we supposed to do about it?
Just keep hiding in your basement and typing nonsense on your computer.
I can smell your fear from here. Let the big boys handle this, ok?
the problem is weatherman we cannot afford to get involved in it. we are to far in debt to ge involved any more, if we continue getting involved our debt will grow to the point of no return and we will end up like greece. that point of no return is just a few years away if we dont stop it. all economists say we have to do 2 things or it will happen.
1) raise taxes so we can pay it off
2) spending cuts in our govt across all programs
both these things need to happen on a large scale or we are going to crash hard. unfortunantly neither candidate are willing to do them.
New Gawker, they are a NATO member. Just as would be expected from other members, the US would have to side with Turkey. I'm sure talks about restraint are taking place by respective allies on both sides.
This could escalate quickly and draw in Russia and China along with European countries.
This is not a good thing...
Turkey has the means and abilities to take care of itself against a country like Syria. Let Turkey and Syria figure this one out, we need to stay out of it. We, as a nation have our own issues to solve. Lets think about our own for a CHANGE.
These thugs in Syria are comminists, and supported by countrys that view the same. Russia, China are the leaders and should be removed from the UN.
Er, no. The Syrian government is cruel, tyrannical, and militaristic, but it is not Communist. Sorry, you're just flinging random nasty labels at them at this point.
Stop Funding You mean Russia and China stops NATO'S greed in attacking small countries and steal their wealth , Lets see now , for the last 20 years , who's been attacking and changing regimes in other countries , who's been spreading false democracy and protecting civilians , and while they are doing that they killing more civilians , either you all people blind , or just plain old dumb , and I can tell by you all comments you are not blind . Turkey have been and still arming , training , ans smuggling these thugs into Syria , they even said last week that the rebels control 70% of Syria , but all of the sudden the Syrian army maneged to fire one mortar shell into Turkey , so they can draw another terrorists country ( Turkey ) into the fight , now how smart is that , the mortar shell killed 5 people , and Hillary and the honorable UN raising hell with Syria , the terrorists blew up hotels and civilians buildings in Syria , not even a mention of it , not in the UN or the US , that's sad , what happened to the war against terrorists , or its OK if they are our terrorists , see that's why we will never be a credible government in the world , people fear us , but they know we speak from both sides of the mouth , That's sad , the Syrian Christians and civilians are fair game when it comes to our friends Alqaida's and Muslims brother hood , but please do not come around us or our allies , But remember what happened in Libya last week , its just only the beginning of their pay backs , Stupid , that's what our politicians are .
So if "we" (I assume you mean America) will never be a credible government in this world, who is?
Nobody trusts Russia or China. Venezuela is only good for establishing anti-US clubs. Iran's leaders are crazy. And you've ruled out NATO yourself. Japan doesn't give a rat's arse about the most affairs that don't affect it directly.
Well, apparently it's all up to you, Switzerland! Do us proud!
the swiss do it proud , they dont get involved in stupid @!$%#, and take care of their citizens, and their economy. so yes i would say they are credible.
Oh, right. They don't get involved in anything.
So they're credible, but it doesn't matter because they keep to themselves. Nuts.
Sooooo... Finland, maybe? Or Singapore?
Go Turkey!
Thinning of the useless herd. Great job! Keep up the good work eradicating that cesspool of subhuman species.
so now turkey strikes back to ensure loses and kills some people?
Obama's Arab Spring?
olde yankee, what a ridiculously stupid thing to say.
Lay off FOX Noise for a while...
"Arab Spring" has emptied prisons of terrorists, and they are in the midst again. Who knows whether it is these terrorists are firing mortars into Turkey to provocate Turkey into war with Syria. We'll never know, with all US media controlled now by Obama under an executive order....Thanks to Obama and Cliton's short-sighted "foreign policy" jihadi extremists are in power for the first time in the Mid East: Libya, Egypt, soon in Syria...
REALLY now... all the media controlled by Obama. Funny, I must have missed that order. Oh, but of course, the media didn't report on it because it's controlled now, right? That's whatcha call a catch-22.
Sooo, your argument against supporting the rebels is that they MAY install a fundamentalist muslim regime.
Sure glad France didnt take that view during the American Revolution 236 years ago.
As a democratic republic, and the leader of the free world, I would think we would want to help any people overthrow a repressive dictatorship.
But for some, its all about money, inconvenience, etc. Let them suffer under a dictator, I want my peace of mind.
The sooner you neo-boomers drop off the map the better for all of us.
The rest of them installed that type of regime why would we think it wouldn't be the same there.
Tunisia didn't. And Libya's new government (not that it's been completely settled yet) seems awfully... I don't know... REASONABLE for a bunch of reputed Islamic fanatics.
Not that it matters to me either way. If people want to elect fundamentalists, let them elect fundamentalists. So what? It's still better than dictators.
unfortunantly weatherman the simple fact is we cannot afford it at this time. we are to far in debt. maybe in the future when we get our debt under control we can afford to help oppressed people.
on a side note how do you feel about the free trade agreements with china. china is one of the worse countries for human rights violations. so why are we even trading with them under your philosophy?
China isn't one of the worst countries for human rights. They're bad, but their record is utterly dwarfed by the horrors that take place in North Korea, Pakistan, or most of Africa.
Don't get me wrong, I would support putting trade restrictions on them until they improve, but your statement is very distorting.
Are people really stupid enough to fall for this?
In the middle of a civil war, that you are losing, are you going to attack a nieghboring country that is part of a world wide association that wants you to lose your civil war?
Hitler invaded Russia after failing to defeat Britain, then also declared war on the United States after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor 6 months after that... both decisions madness.
LOL
They've already done it by shooting down Turkey's plane and firing into refugee camps. Mortars are less accurate than rifles and anti-aircraft weapons. I doubt they're trying to deliberately piss off Turkey, but it's totally believable that it came from the Syrian military.
I like world war two which is why I'm posting this. Germany wasn't exactly failing to defeat Britain which was being heavily aided by the U.S. by this time. England was bunkered in hoping help would come soon. The attack on Russia was stupid, but remember Germany still controlled that front until Hitler tried to push too far too fast. He also wasted too many resources on one city instead of just isolating it and letting it die on its own. Germany declared war on the U.S. after the Japanese attack because the U.S. and Japan were now at war. It is not a secret that Hitler did not want war with the U.S. yet. These are just points of talk worth thinking about.
The British won the air Battle of Britain without a substantial amount of aid from American, largely due to the British radar and logistics. The Germans failed to take Moscow & the Russians were able to move their factories to the east. The Russians had better tank designs (Tiger tanks were too complicated) and greater manpower. Hitler declared war on the US because he thought Japan would reciprocate by declaring war on Russia.
Another signifcant incident and I bet Turkish ground troops go into Syria.
Fine with me. Just as long as it isn't us. We need to worry about ourselves. Everything we have done in the ME is a disaster. Get Americans out and don't look back.
Vision8 The US policy is to protect Israel even if it means destroying the whole ME and killing of all the Christians in that part of the world , and if it means dealing with the devil ( Alqida and the Wahhabi's and the Muslims brother hood ) to accomplish that goal , the problem we have , A lady that if it was not for her husband screwing around in the oval office ( Pres. Bill Clinton ) she never made into politics , now we have her going around and making decision that effects the world peace and wars , with my respect to all our politicians ( not much respect ) they all have no clue whats going on in the world , they send our troops to die , so they can please other countries , and they do not listen to Generals , we have got a Waco senator , and again , if he was not a prisoner of war , he could not make as a Dog race Judge , and now he goes around the world and wants to attack every country , So here you go , we are arming and training Alqaida and all the Muslims fanatics from every little rat hole in the world , to go to Syria through Turkey , and off course Turkey acts like they are the angels of heaven , they Fing with Syria and they are killing the Syrians and destroying their way of life , and Mrs. Clinton stands there and lie through her teeth , and what so bad , We are buying this BS she feed us , with the help of our corrupt Media , they have no respect for human lives , they totally lost the respect for their self's , So her you go , Syria's civilians are screwed , because we are coming after them , Just like we Did in Iraq and Libya . Lies and more Lies , and you all smart people are buying this BS just like you did the WMD's .
Ah, of course. Remember when the President gave that speech about protecting Israel, even if it means killing every last Christian in the region? Because I sure don't. I don't even remember the press conference where they explained that sometimes protecting Israel means a bunch of Christians have to die. But I'm sure they made that connection somewhere, right?
Bottom line:
Turkey doesnt need NATO or the UN (snicker) to help defend its border, they have a huge army.
They'll do what they need to regardless of either. We would also, if Canada (snicker again) lobbed mortar rounds across our border. (totally LMAO now).
All true. And the UN is useless
Well, the mortar from Canada would probably be followed by a sincere apology in case it woke anybody up in the town where it landed.
Maybe a fruit basket too.
It's hard to stay mad at Canada.
After reading many of the posts on this storyline, I must agree it is better than an even chance that the Rebels in Syria fired the mortar rounds in to Turkey. The Turkish Gov't has been giving the Rebels safe haven and training. I believe what will need to happen will be that powers in the region are going to force Assad to step down and seek refuge outside the country. I hope it doesn't come down to NATO troops are on the ground to bring peace and supervise a change over to an elected Gov't. We all know who would be leading the "occupation" and become peacekeepers in an all out civil war. We need to stay out of Syria and let powers in the region to bring change and help the Syrians to recover.
NATO said it stood by member-nation Turkey and urged Syria to put an end to "flagrant violations of international law."
Does the international law that they cite here have anything about the killing of innocents and/or depriving citizens the right to live without fear of being killed just because they live where they live? If so - then would it not apply to Islam/Muslims? I would think so. But are they exempt from the "flagrant" murders they commit throughout the world - every day? NATO appears to me to be a big joke.
You might think they're a joke, but nobody's laughing.
When you have a force with that kind of sheer firepower, you kind of have to take it seriously, whether or not you think it's wrong.
Tell that to the 3000 dead in NYC after 9/11 sport.
The problem with your analogy is that the Islam/Muslim community has caused paranoia thru out the world with thier terrorist acts.
If and when the "moderate" muslims start condemning and kicking them out of thier countries (as what just happened in Libya) then the west wouldnt have to constantly wave the "big stick" (TR)
dont need to wave the big stick just profile them and dont allow them in our country, much cheaper then waving the big stick imho.
Looks like sad ass Assad wants to die. It would be better for all if sooned rather than later..
Assad wont die, he'll be given asylum in Russia.
Let them have him! He and Putin can share stories about locking up dissidents.
They get 3 billion not 30 and 1.8 billion must be spent in America buying arms. The amount of aid would run America for 7 hours.
It's a war. It's a civil war. Things happen. Nevermind Assad started it by arresting and torturing his own people, men, women, boys, girls, sending death squads into towns, putting snipers on rooftops, shutting off water and electric, and indiscriminatly bombing villages, towns, and cities. WHO CARES who fired the missle? Even IF, which I doubt, was a mistake by the rebles, THE RESULTS ARE GOOD; THE BAD GUYS ARE GETTING WHAT THEY DESERVE. Now, if Turkey would take out a few of their bases, the rebels can move it. If Turkey supplies the rebels with anti aircraft weapons, there will be LESS Syrian planes and missles to hit Turkey or anyone. Syris is SORRRY for killing 5 Turkish citizens but does NOT feel any remorse for GENOCIDE against it's own people. WHO CARES WHO DID WHAT? POSITVE RESULTS: Turkey is bombing Syrian bases and forces. GOOD. KEEP IT UP.
anyone who thinks the un is anything but a bunch of libbers bleeding the USA is a total stupid a$$hole. These people over there have been fighting eachother for thousands of years and some part time black muslin at the head of our goverment is to dumb and has not the balls to change anything over there. Our so called hollywood type military also don't have the smarts or the balls to win against these people. The people in the middle east are so much stronger and tougher then are military it is unbelivable. Point is they sleep on rocks at night live on very little food and water have no AC and wood fires and have lived like this all their lives. Our military refuses to do their job if the AC to their tents don't work and they don't get shipments of mc donalds and burger king. The russians fought these people for twenty years and gave them no quarter, tortured and killed them on sight burned done whole towns with people made to stay in the houses and be burnt to death, and yet the russians could not beat them. So how does anyone think the sissies we send over there are going to beat them. 90% of our troops are dropouts and losers going in why would anyone want to go fight over there unless you are some bow-rar idiot.
lesson be learned....don't ruffle turkey's feathers.
Mean while back at the ranch the CIA is gearing up for another motar round into turkey and giving the location of the Syrian Army to Turkey to strike back..
Good. In this case, THERE IS A BAD GUY and it's Assad. Whatver it takes to take him down is alright with me. An anyone who helps these people won't be forgotten. And anybody who stands by the sidelines and does nothing will also not be forgotten by these people. I do NOT care who did what AS LONG AS Assad is taken down and out. Another Middle East dictator going down the tubes. Iran and Hezbelloh must be sweating this one out. Same goes for Russian and China. I hope Turkey and Saudi Arabia give the rebels whatever they need and Assad whatever he deserves, If the CIA is helping, Good.
Assad's Syria wants some other country, any other country, to enter the fighting so that it can unify it's morally bankrupt regime against the people who only asked for freedom. Of course, China and Russia are supportive of Syria because it's an ally of Iran another supporter of the thug Assad. Just as bird's of a feather stick together, thugs have the same over riding principal, stick together before the people hang them separately.