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October 10, 2012

Turkey Threatens "Greater Force" if Syria Fire Continues 
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The head of Turkey's military is vowing to respond with more attacks if
mortar fire from Syria continues to hit Turkish territory. Speaking
earlier today, Turkey's Chief of Staff said Turkish forces would use
"greater force" in the event that shelling from Syria hits the Turkish
side of the border. Turkey has launched strikes inside Syria and
deployed additional troops to its border after shelling last week from
Syria killed five Turkish civilians. At a summit in Belgium, NATO
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said his military alliance is
prepared to act against Syria to defend Turkey, but declined to specify
any details.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: "We have taken the steps necessary to make sure
that we have all plans in place to protect and defend Turkey, but I
think you understand very well why we cannot go into details when it
comes to such plans. But obviously Turkey can rely on alliance
solidarity. But let me express once again the focus of the international
community should be to find a political solution to the conflict in
Syria. It is absolutely outrageous what we are witnessing there."

 

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