Turkish troops, anti-aircraft guns on Syrian border

A convoy of about 30 military vehicles, including trucks loaded with missile batteries, arrived in Turkey’s coastal town of İskenderun and deployed near the Syrian border 50km (30 miles) away, Turkish agencies said.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan announced after Syrian air defenses shot down a Turkish warplane last Friday he would step up security there.

The video footage shows the column moving off on Wednesday, escorted by police cars, along a narrow highway leading out of the main port of Turkey’s Hatay province. It included rocket launchers on transporters, anti-aircraft artillery and military ambulances.

Erdoğan said any military element moving towards the Turkish border and deemed threatening would be declared a military target. The preponderance of air defense weapons in the convoy suggested Turkey was preparing for any possible approach by Syrian helicopters or warplanes.

There have been no details given of new rules of engagement issued to troops after the shooting down of the warplane which Turkey says was in international air space.

The Hatay region is sheltering over 33,000 refugees as well as elements of the Free Syrian Army. <Cihan>

news@theasian.asia