Tension flares along Turkish-Syrian border

A lowered flag briefly caused tensions to flare yesterday along the Turkish -Syrian border, where thousands of Syrians have fled a government crackdown in recent weeks. The incident occurred when Syrian soldiers entered the village of Harapcoz, just 500 meters from the border, and lowered a Turkish flag that had been recently raised on a tower there, replacing it with a Syrian flag. Syrian military helicopters also flew in the area. Officials from both sides refused to comment. In related news, a Reuters photographer in the border province of Hatay said that for the first time since the beginning of June, Turkish soldiers were ordered to put their helmets on.