Syria Shells Turkey

LongBlade · October 03, 2012, 02:33:56 PM

This isn't a good idea - Turkey is a member of NATO.

QuoteTurkey has contacted the UN and Nato after Syrian shells killed five people in a Turkish town near the border between the two countries.

The shells exploded after being fired into Akcakale from Tall al-Abyad in Syria, where forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are trying to put down an 18-month-old insurgency.

The dead are said to include a woman and her three children.

Later, reports said Turkey had struck back at Syrian targets.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19822253

Centurion40 · October 03, 2012, 02:45:05 PM

Perhaps a bloody punch from the Turks would teach Syrian artillery to be a bit more accurate. Looks like there is (at the narrowest point) a 200 meter strip of nothing between Syrian and Turkish residences at Akcakale. Surely Syrian Army bombardiers could be accurate within 200 meters.

TheCommandTent · October 03, 2012, 03:06:10 PM

Are they really spoiling for a fight with outside powers that bad?

W8taminute · October 03, 2012, 03:23:34 PM

Wow, first I'm hearing of this today. This is kind of serious and I'll be interested in seeing if any clashes escalate between these two countries.

LongBlade · October 03, 2012, 04:07:11 PM

Quote from: TheCommandTent on October 03, 2012, 03:06:10 PM
Are they really spoiling for a fight with outside powers that bad?

The report I heard on TV indicated nobody (yet) knows whether this was some goofball going rogue or whether it was some kind of more formal attack.

My guess is that the last thing Syrian government wants is a war with NATO. Which means is was probably some group trying to bait the Turks into expanding their role. Sad that innocents had to be brought into it.

Gusington · October 03, 2012, 07:30:03 PM

^I agree...it was probably a rebel group trying to get the Turks to help them out inadverdently. I am curious what the Turkish response was.

MetalDog · October 03, 2012, 07:35:40 PM

They retaliated against the mortar emplacement that fired in the first place.

Gusington · October 03, 2012, 08:17:43 PM

How? Firing their own mortars/artillery?

MIGMaster · October 03, 2012, 11:30:06 PM

The Turks have enough tanks to flatten Syria. A coupla incidents like that and Turkey may go in an establish a permanent buffer zone. They appear to be pretty handy with arty too! If anything was to happen I'm sure Turkey would have it handled before NATO could get mobilized to help them.

besilarius · October 04, 2012, 06:03:45 AM

Back in the Cold War the Turks were really top notch. Could be kind of scary because they acted so linear. Most issues were seen as black and white, with little gray areas.
Now that the new government is in control, and apparently taking the military leadership down a peg, anyone know if they are still as potent?
Attaturk made sure the military was secular and wanted it to be apolitical, but to safeguard his revolution.
The present government is not secular and seems to want to roll back much of Attaturks changes.

eyebiter · October 04, 2012, 12:09:16 PM

Turkey has enough problems with the Kurds. Doubt they would want anything to do with the Syrian quagmire.

However if there was a shooting war between Syria and Turkey, I'd bet the Assad regime would lose.

Recall the Turkish invasion of Cyprus back in 1974. Naval engagements, air combat, large scale paratrooper drops, helicopter airmobile strikes, even a sea invasion with tanks and infantry.
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_296.shtml

Centurion40 · October 04, 2012, 01:00:52 PM

I knew a guy who was a part of a UN detachment in Cyprus in the 70s. He said that the Turkish Army scared the shit out of him.

Centurion40 · October 04, 2012, 02:45:23 PM

Turkey shoves back, for the 2nd day.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/04/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Quote
Istanbul (CNN) -- Turkey shelled a Syrian military position for a second day and authorized its military forces to venture beyond its borders on Thursday.

Mr. Bigglesworth · October 04, 2012, 02:59:45 PM

Quote from: LongBlade on October 03, 2012, 04:07:11 PM
Quote from: TheCommandTent on October 03, 2012, 03:06:10 PM
Are they really spoiling for a fight with outside powers that bad?

The report I heard on TV indicated nobody (yet) knows whether this was some goofball going rogue or whether it was some kind of more formal attack.

My guess is that the last thing Syrian government wants is a war with NATO. Which means is was probably some group trying to bait the Turks into expanding their role. Sad that innocents had to be brought into it.

Spot on.

Gusington · October 05, 2012, 07:17:32 AM

To eyebiter's point I would bet that this recent mess is related to the Kurds trying to take advantage of the situation.