74 Turkish citizens killed in Syria-linked incidents: FM Davutoğlu

ANKARA

Some 74 Turkish citizens have been killed due to the incidents on the porous border between Turkey and syria, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said.

A total of 74 Turkish citizens have been killed due to the Syria-linked incidents, according to the data provided by the Turkey’s General Staff, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said.

In a response to a parliamentary question submitted by the main opposition Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP) deputy head Sezgin Tanrıkulu, Davutoğlu stressed that people living near the border have been suffering from the clashes on the Syrian side.

“74 citizens have been killed and 337 citizens have been wounded as a result of stray bullets fired in the clashes on the Syrian side, Syria-linked terror incidents and illegal border crossings, according to data from the Turkish General Staff,” Davutoğlu said.

Davutoğlu said the necessary measures have been taken to ensure the citizens’ security of life and property and steps were taken to strengthen physical security at the Syrian border.

A portable concrete wall, which is composed of concrete 3-meter-long blocks, is being built in the southern province of Hatay in an effort to prevent illegal crossings and smuggling. The wall will reportedly be 1,200 meters and weigh nine tons when finished. The concrete blocks will able to be transferred when necessary.