Fights near Akçakale continue

ŞANLIURFA - Anatolia News Agency

Clashes between the Syrian army and rebel forces at the Tell Abyad border crossing in Syria continued yesterday, with stray bullets from the fierce fighting flying into the town of Akçakale, Şanlıurfa.

Two Turkish civilians wounded yesterday during shelling by Syrian government forces at the border post, Agence France-Presse reported citing an unnamed Turkish official.

Schools in Akçakale were closed for the second day in a row, and officials warned citizens not to travel close to the border. Citizens also asked officials to take necessary security measures immediately. Areas near the border have been also evacuated for security reasons.

“There is an uneasiness among the public. Artillery fire and the intensifying of the fighting have frightened our people. Our town is at risk,” Akçakale Mayor Abdülhakim Ayhan said. Rebels seized control of the Tell Abyad border crossing Sept. 19, pulling down the Syrian flag and briefly allowing people to crawl under a barbed wire barrier between the countries.