Yilmaz: "Turkey does not intend to threaten Syria with military action"

Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz yesterday opened a tank test center in Sakarya province. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Yilmaz reiterated that Turkey, which has previously purchased tanks from abroad and even put out to tender the modernization of its tanks, now decided to be self-sufficient in this field. Stating that the companies operating within Turkey and abroad will be able to benefit from the test center, Yilmaz said that Turkey was now stronger and more knowledgeable than it was before. In reply to a journalist's question, Yilmaz said that Turkey does not intend to threaten Syria with military action, saying a recent visit by the country's land forces commander to the border area was a routine inspection.