France Press

ANKARA: Turkey's top military commander on Wednesday warned of a stronger response if Syrian shells continue to land on Turkish soil, the private NTV television network reported.
 
"We have retaliated (for Syrian shelling) and if it continues, we'll respond more strongly," the head of the armed forces, General Necdet Ozel, said in Akcakale, a border town where five civilians were killed by Syrian shelling last week.
 
The military chief was inspecting troops on a tour of the heavily fortified border region where a number of shells fired from Syria have fallen, prompting fears of an escalation of the Syria conflict.
 
Following the deadly shelling in Akcakale last Wednesday, the Turkish parliament approved the use of military force if necessary against one-time ally Syria.
 
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also warned Damascus not to test Turkey's patience and vowed that Ankara would not tolerate such acts.