Turkey 'on alert' against possible chemical attack

ANKARA - The Associated Press

This picture taken on March 11, 2003 shows Patriot anti-missile batteries installed at the Diyarbakir military airport in southeastern Turkey. AFP photo

Officials say Turkey is on alert against possible chemical attacks from Syria and has stocked food and gas masks along their shared border.
 
The Turkish government's crisis management center said on Twitter on Thursday that officials had designated bunkers at seven areas along the border to protect the people in the area from harm.
 
It also said a team of 100 chemical weapons experts were sent to the border area which was being screened for any signs of chemical attacks.
 
Turkey is the strongest critic of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and has backed Syria's opposition and rebels. The country said this week it would take part in any international coalition that would move against the Syrian government.