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Turkey confirms military response to shelling from Syria

Xinhua, February 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Turkey responded to an artillery attack on an army base close to the Syrian border on Saturday, a Turkish military source said.

The source was quoted as saying by the state-run Anatolia News Agency that the Akcabaglar base in south-central Kilis province was shelled by the forces of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, referring to a Syrian Kurdish group and its affiliate with the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK).

The PKK, which has waged war on Turkey since 1984, is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

The shelling came from Azaz in Aleppo province which has been the scene of recent heavy fighting.

Turkish forces reacted within rules of engagement that provide for an immediate response to any border threat, the source said.

The shelling came just hours after Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Saturday that Turkey, "if necessary," will take military actions against the Kurds in Syria.

In a televised speech, Davutoglu said "we would expect our friends and allies to stand by us."

The Kurds have been Ankara's worst nightmare, especially after they have made notable gains in northern Syria, something Turkey apparently cannot accept.

Turkish officials have repeatedly said that they will not allow the Kurds in Syria to expand more near the Turkish border. Endit