Decisive action? Turkey mobilizes troops and heavy equipment on Syrian border

June 26, 2012 – MIDDLE EAST – The Turkish military mobilized large numbers of reinforcements from its eastern provinces to the Syrian border on Tuesday, amid rising tension with Damascus, after the downing by Syria of a Turkish Air Force jet on Friday, Turkish media reported. Large numbers of Turkish troops — including at least 15 long-range artillery pieces and tanks – moved to the Syrian frontier from the eastern city of Diyarbakir. A video published by the Turkish Cihan News Agency showed Turkish tanks being transported by carrier trucks toward the frontier. The mobilization followed statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the Turkish military will respond to any future violation of its border by Syrian military elements. “As awe-inspiring as Turkey’s friendship is, Turkey’s wrath is equally awe-inspiring,” Erdogan told the Turkish parliament on Tuesday. “The rules of engagement of the Turkish Armed Forces have changed,” Erdogan said. “Any military element that approaches the Turkish border from Syria posing a security risk and danger will be regarded as a threat and treated as a military target.” Erdogan closed his remarks with an especially harsh condemnation of Syrian President Bashar Assad: “Turkey and the Turkish people will continue to provide all support until the people of Syria have been saved from this tyrannical, murderous, bloody dictator and his gang.” Opposition sources in Syria reported at least 86 civilians were killed by Assad troops on Tuesday. The father of one of the two missing pilots who were shot down in Friday’s incident told Turkish newspaper Hürriyet Daily News that he opposed Turkey going to war over his son. “It is not appropriate for a country to go to war over a pilot, an airplane or 50 airplanes,” Ali Erton said. He said he was aware of the risks his son took as a military pilot, but added “what matters is that my son serves his country.” NATO’s North Atlantic Council condemned Tuesday Syria’s downing of the Turkish jet on Friday, but did not recommend military action for the act, as Ankara has requested. –Times of Israel

5 Responses to Decisive action? Turkey mobilizes troops and heavy equipment on Syrian border

Desiree says:

June 26, 2012 at 9:04 pm

I got a report on fb this morning that Turkish and British forces were already on the ground inside Syria

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- The Extinction Protocol says:
  
  June 26, 2012 at 9:24 pm
  
  I’ve heard the same. Let’s se how it plays out. Things are always 60 degrees ahead of what’s reported in the press.
  
  Thanks
  Alvin
  
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John Durango says:

June 26, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Step by step the action plan is in place…false flags and false pretenses will lead to the beginning of a face off between Russia, Syria, Iran and China Vs NATO and Saudi Arabia in the background the worst offender of western principals and the leader in wanting to destroy all Shiites. How does the USA get involved in these no win wars….Wasn’t Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan along with the failed Egypt, Libya and several other small countries who are headed for Islamic control enough of a lesson. Congress must make the next decision not NATO….

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truth_seeker says:

June 26, 2012 at 11:40 pm

I keep reading lately how the Erdogan is so close to the US etc. There are pictures of Al-Assad and Erdogan who previously had a seemingly close relationship. I have felt for a while that Turkey is the country to watch as its right next to the Middle East yet is almost considered part of Europe. It has links to EU/Nato/UN etc – yet is anti-Israel which contradicts the stance of many countries that are linked to it. With Turkey its hard to see who their true allegience lies with/why. And if any one country was gonna end up intervening with Syria I have thought for a long time it would be Turkey that ended up pushing for action. If so it will be a lot harder for international arguments if they claim their at risk etc as they are neighbours and still players on the world stage. Who knows how this will end up but this doesn’t surprise me at all.

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GBucello says:

June 28, 2012 at 12:37 pm

What should really trouble the public is Turkey’s deployment of MLRS rocket batteries along their border. Unlike AA guns, which are strictly defensive, and tanks, which can really be used either way, MLRS batteries are inherently offensive weapons, and the more that these weapons are deployed, the more likely it is that they will be used. Turkey stands to lose its legitimacy as the victim in this skirmish with Syria if they start raining rockets on their neighbors. http://bit.ly/KOCvo5

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