Turkey backs army action in Syria

Oct 4 2012

Turkey's Parliament has approved a bill authorising the military to conduct cross-border operations in Syria after shelling from Syrian territory killed five civilians.

The Anadolu Agency says MPs today voted in favour of the bill that gives the government authority for one year to send troops or warplanes to strike Syrian targets whenever it deems it necessary.

Turkey's deputy prime minister said the bill was not a declaration of war but intended as a deterrent against its neighbour.

Besir Atalay told reporters after the vote: "The bill is not for war... It has deterrent qualities."

Parliament voted 320-129 in favour of the bill.

The move adds a dangerous new dimension to a conflict that is pulling Syria's neighbours deeper into what already resembles a proxy conflict.

Earlier Turkish artillery fired on Syrian targets for a second day, in retaliation for the shelling from Syria.

A military unit in the border town of Akcakale resumed strikes at Syrian targets overnight and shelling continued this morning, state-run TRT television reported.

A woman, her three daughters and another woman were killed in Akcakale when a shell from Syria hit a home.

Tensions between the two neighbours have escalated sharply and Nato convened an emergency meeting in response.