Syrian clashes reach doorstep of Turkey

Fighting between Syrian troops and rebels came within inches of Turkey in the southeastern district of Akcakale yesterday as rebels seized a border crossing after fierce battles that sent bullets flying into Turkey and led authorities to shut all local schools. Rebels were seen seizing control of the Tell Abyad border crossing, pulling down the Syrian flag and briefly allowing people to crawl under a barbed wire barrier between the countries. Bullets from the fighting reportedly caused injuries in Turkey, but a Foreign Ministry official told the Hurriyet Daily News that it was unclear if the Turkish citizens who were wounded by stray bullets were wounded deliberately or not. Rebels hold two other crossings on the northern border with Turkey. A third border point would help strengthen their control in the north and put more pressure on the army as they battle for control of Syria’s largest city Aleppo.