No uncontrolled crossings on border with Syria, says General Staff

ISTANBUL

The damaged Syrian Tel Abyad custom office is seen in the background, as Syrian men walk from Syria to Turkey. REUTERS Photo

Entries and exits between Turkey and Syria at the border post in Akçakale are under the control of border forces, the Turkish General Staff has said after hürriyet.com.tr released footage of Syrians crossing the frontier without any checks, daily Hürriyet reported today.

“There is no uncontrolled or illegal entry and exit at the border for which we are responsible,” a statement released by the General Staff said. “The region which we are responsibility for is completely under control.”

Crossings at the Akçakale Border Gate were previously processed by the Revenue Office and local police officers before the gate was closed on Sept. 18, according to reports.

Some 796 Syrian people who tried to cross the border away from the gate between Sept. 18 and Oct. 5 were brought to Turkey and delivered to civil administration by border officials, the statement also said.