By Joel C. Rosenberg
JoelRosenberg.com
"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," reports the Times of Israel.
Turkey mobilizes tanks, troops to Syrian border
"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....'
As awe-inspiring as Turkey’s friendship is, Turkey's wrath is equally awe-inspiring,' [Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip] 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.'"
Syria also reportedly fired at a Turkish rescue plane.
Meanwhile, fighting near Damascus has escalated and at least 160 people have been killed in the last 48 hours.
- Furious Turkey mobilizes tanks, troops to Syrian border • Times of Israel
- Turkish rescue plane also attacked by Syria • Hurriyet Daily News
- Heavy fighting rages around Syrian capital • Jerusalem Post
- NATO Backs Turkey Against Syria • Arutz Sheva
- Signs growing that Assad losing control of Syria: US • Channel News Asia
