Turkish Army vows to reciprocate in multiples as tension in Syria rises

ANKARA

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has announced that it will take all necessary measures to preserve the safety of the country’s borders and will reciprocate “in multiples” in accordance with the rules of engagement against any fire from Syria that causes loss of life or property.

“The Turkish Armed Forces has taken all necessary precautions against threats from across the border with the aim of providing border security in accordance with the laws and authority as established by government directives. In this context, shots that come from Syria to our territory and occasionally result in the loss of life and property are being responded to in multiples in accordance with the rules of engagement,” a statement titled “News from Turkish Armed Forces – 2” that was posted on the army’s official website said yesterday.

All manners of security issues, measures taken against security threats, instances of illegal trespassing and news about property that has been seized are being made public through website, the TSK further said.

The conflict in Syria’s north along the Turkish border has grown after the militant wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) took control of the Syrian town of Ras al-Ayn against the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front after almost a week of battles. The TSK has periodically opened fire from the Turkish border town of Ceylanpınar since shots fired from the Syrian side killed a Turkish citizen while seriously wounding another last week.