Turkish citizen killed at Syrian border

HATAY - Anatolia News Agency

A Turkish citizen has been killed by gunfire coming from the Syrian side of country’s Asi River border, Anatolia news agency has reported. AA photo

A Turkish citizen has been killed by gunfire coming from the Syrian side of country’s Asi River border, in what was reportedly a debt confrontation related to smuggling, Anatolia news agency has reported.

The person killed was involved in smuggling, and was heavily wounded at the site when officials tried to take him to a nearby hospital to receive treatment. He died on the way to Antakya state hospital.

The Hatay governor’s office released a statement following the incident, suggesting the likely cause was a confrontation over debt payments.

“Negative incidents may occur due to the intensity at the borders, with the negativities going on over at our neighbor,” Hatay Governor Celalettin Lekesiz said today, after attending a meeting with the deputy governor, the provincial customs director, and security heads.

“We met to share information over the status of the city, and to evaluate and put precautions in motion if needed,” Lekesiz added.

The investigation over the death of the citizen is continuing, according to the governor’s office.