Turkey curing al-Assad’s soldiers: Official

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet

Jordanian soldier-doctor checks a Syrian refugee who was injured while crossing the border from Syria into Jordan, near Mafraq February 18, 2013. REUTERS photo

Some 70 Syrian soldiers fighting against militants received medical treatment in Turkey last month, the mayor of the central district of Hatay, Antakya, has revealed.

Lütfü Savaş said wounded Syrian soldiers had asked for help from Turkish soldiers on the border and received treatment in hospitals in Antakya.

“The public didn’t even know about it. We are looking at the humanitarian side of the issue. We provide this aid without any discrimination,” said Savaş, who is also a doctor, adding that the city was hosting nearly 30,000 Syrian refugees, nearly half of whom live in camps while the remainder is staying in the city center.

The governor also said locals were initially worried about the clashes in Syria. “We have held several meetings with other mayors no matter which political party they come from. I also met with village chiefs. All worries disappeared in the end.”