Turkey will retaliate if any Syrian aircraft violate its airspace

Turkey has warned that its military would retaliate if any Syrian aircraft violate its airspace amid a third day of air strikes by Syrian forces against opposing fighters who overran a town along the border with Turkey. Turkey’s defense minister, Ismet Yilmaz, indicated earlier Wednesday that Turkey would use military force in response to any incursions by Syrian aircraft. “The necessary response will be given to Syrian planes and helicopters that violate our border”, Yilmaz said. Turkey’s Anadolu news agency and other Turkish media said several villages west of Ceylanpinar have been evacuated to protect residents from any spillover of fighting between Syrian government forces and the opposing fighters. About 1,000 people left Mursitpinar, 180 kilometers from Ceylanpinar, after an appeal from the loudspeakers of local mosques. The Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar witnessed a Syrian air strike in the adjacent Syrian town of Ras al-Ayn, where the opposing fighters say they have ousted troops loyal to President Bashar Assad. Deadly air strikes began several days ago, and many casualties were rushed into Turkey for treatment. Local officials said as many as 30 people have died since Monday.