urfa

The Turkish Prime Ministry announced on Wednesday they had responded to the deadly cross-border shelling from Syria by immediately firing back on Syrian army positions. Parliament also passed a motion allowing the government to send troops abroad if necessary amidst a flurry of international responses.

An artillery shell fired from Syria during the clashes between government forces and the Free Syrian Army there landed on a house in the district of Akçakale in the southeastern province of Urfa today. A mother and her four children lost their lives, while another 13 people were injured. Akçakale Mayor Ayhan complained about the frequency of bombs landing in the area due to the ongoing conflict across the border.

The BDP provincial co-chair is among 8 people arrested in Urfa on 5 October. Lawyer Benek stated the arrests were based on insignificant wiretapped telephone conversations. BDP MP Bininci said his party is being "terrorized".