11/14/2012

Syrian planes hit targets near Turkey

A picture taken from the town of Ceylanpinar after a Syrian aircraft bombed the border town of Ras al-Ain, on Tuesday.
A picture taken from the town of Ceylanpinar after a Syrian aircraft bombed the border town of Ras al-Ain, on Tuesday.
  • NEW: Fighting has claimed the lives of 47 people Wednesday, an opposition group says
  • Turkey demands an end to attacks near its border after jets strike town of Ras al-Ain
  • U.S. adds $30 million more in aid for Syrians inside the country and those who've fled

(CNN) -- As Syrian government warplanes operated uncomfortably close to Turkey's border again Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backed up American support for the opposition by adding to Washington's humanitarian aid.

Government jets pounded Ras al-Ain, a town near Turkey's border, for yet another day, shaking residents on the other side and triggering demands from Ankara that the Syrian military "stop this as soon as possible."

Read more: France, U.S. stand behind new opposition alliance

Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz told journalists Wednesday that the country would "respond to Syrian planes or helicopters that violate our borders."

"Our citizens, especially the residents of the (border]) regions, should stay calm. Our armed forces are on duty full time and the troops on the ground have been authorized to intervene immediately when necessary," the minister said.

Attacks on Ras al-Ain earlier in the week sent Syrians fleeing for the border. A total of 5,000 crossed into Turkey Monday and Tuesday, according to a Turkish government official, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak with the media.

A Syrian rebel commander of the Halab al-Shabah battalion motivates fighters during clashes with regime forces in Al-Amariya district of Aleppo on Tuesday, November 13. View photos from November in this gallery, and see October photos from the conflict here.A Syrian rebel commander of the Halab al-Shabah battalion motivates fighters during clashes with regime forces in Al-Amariya district of Aleppo on Tuesday, November 13. View photos from November in this gallery, and see October photos from the conflict here.
Smoke billows from burning tires as a Syrian rebel fires toward regime forces in Aleppo on Tuesday.Smoke billows from burning tires as a Syrian rebel fires toward regime forces in Aleppo on Tuesday.
Syrian rebels take position in Aleppo on Tuesday.Syrian rebels take position in Aleppo on Tuesday.
Smoke rises after Syrian aircraft bombed the strategic border town of Ras al-Ain, killing at least four people, wounding many others and sending panicked residents fleeing across to Turkey on Monday, November 12.Smoke rises after Syrian aircraft bombed the strategic border town of Ras al-Ain, killing at least four people, wounding many others and sending panicked residents fleeing across to Turkey on Monday, November 12.
Syrian opposition fighter Bazel Araj, 19, sleeps next to his gun in Aleppo on Sunday, November 11.Syrian opposition fighter Bazel Araj, 19, sleeps next to his gun in Aleppo on Sunday, November 11.
Syrian opposition fighters pass a civilian as they patrol the northern city of Aleppo on Sunday.Syrian opposition fighters pass a civilian as they patrol the northern city of Aleppo on Sunday.
A Syrian opposition fighter walks in a destroyed house after hard clashes with Syrian regime forces in Ras al Ain on Saturday, November 10.A Syrian opposition fighter walks in a destroyed house after hard clashes with Syrian regime forces in Ras al Ain on Saturday, November 10.
Syrian nationals cross the border between the Syrian town of Ras al Ain and Ceylanpinar, Turkey, on Saturday.Syrian nationals cross the border between the Syrian town of Ras al Ain and Ceylanpinar, Turkey, on Saturday.
Syrian army soldiers ride along a street Saturday in the northern province of Aleppo.Syrian army soldiers ride along a street Saturday in the northern province of Aleppo.
A Syrian opposition fighter stands in a destroyed house in Ras al Ain on Saturday.A Syrian opposition fighter stands in a destroyed house in Ras al Ain on Saturday.
Syrians cross the border into Turkey on Friday, November 9, near the Turkish town of Ceylanpinar. Syrians cross the border into Turkey on Friday, November 9, near the Turkish town of Ceylanpinar.
Smoke rises after an explosion in the Syrian village of Bariqa near the the cease-fire line in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Wednesday, November 7. Israel is asking the U.N. Security Council to address an intrusion by Syrian tanks into the buffer zone between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights, which Israel says violates the two countries' Separation of Forces agreement.Smoke rises after an explosion in the Syrian village of Bariqa near the the cease-fire line in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on Wednesday, November 7. Israel is asking the U.N. Security Council to address an intrusion by Syrian tanks into the buffer zone between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights, which Israel says violates the two countries' Separation of Forces agreement.
A picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency shows damage caused by a mortar attack in a residential district of Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday.
A picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency shows damage caused by a mortar attack in a residential district of Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday.
A damaged vehicle and building are damaged after bomb explosions in in Damascus on Wednesday in this photo released by Syria's national news agency, SANA. Multiple bomb explosions on Wednesday hit a hilltop district in Damascus populated by members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect, witnesses said.
A damaged vehicle and building are damaged after bomb explosions in in Damascus on Wednesday in this photo released by Syria's national news agency, SANA. Multiple bomb explosions on Wednesday hit a hilltop district in Damascus populated by members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect, witnesses said.
An Israeli Merkava tank crew sits in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights overlooking the Syrian village of Breqa on Tuesday, November 6. An Israeli military vehicle in the Golan Heights was hit by gunfire from Syria on Monday, the Israeli army said. An Israeli Merkava tank crew sits in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights overlooking the Syrian village of Breqa on Tuesday, November 6. An Israeli military vehicle in the Golan Heights was hit by gunfire from Syria on Monday, the Israeli army said.
A mortar shell explodes in the Syrian village of Breqa on Tuesday.A mortar shell explodes in the Syrian village of Breqa on Tuesday.
Syrian rescue workers evacuate a woman and her two children from a building targeted by an airstrike from government forces in a town northeast of Aleppo on Sunday, November 4. An AFP correspondent reported three air strikes on the town in close succession.Syrian rescue workers evacuate a woman and her two children from a building targeted by an airstrike from government forces in a town northeast of Aleppo on Sunday, November 4. An AFP correspondent reported three air strikes on the town in close succession.
Syrian people take cover as a second bomb explodes during a rescue attempt in nearby a building that was hit during an air raid by government forces earlier on Sunday.Syrian people take cover as a second bomb explodes during a rescue attempt in nearby a building that was hit during an air raid by government forces earlier on Sunday.
A Syrian rebel fighter rests on a couch in a rebel-controlled building on the front line in Aleppo's northern Izaa quarter on Sunday.A Syrian rebel fighter rests on a couch in a rebel-controlled building on the front line in Aleppo's northern Izaa quarter on Sunday.
A mannequin used by rebel fighters as a decoy is seen in an area where clashes continue with pro-government forces in Aleppo on Friday, November 2.A mannequin used by rebel fighters as a decoy is seen in an area where clashes continue with pro-government forces in Aleppo on Friday, November 2.
A member of the Free Syrian Army runs for cover from sniper fire in Aleppo on Friday.A member of the Free Syrian Army runs for cover from sniper fire in Aleppo on Friday.
Members of the Free Syrian Army stand close to an unexploded bomb dropped by a fighter jet weeks earlier, at a checkpoint in Aleppo on Thursday, November 1.Members of the Free Syrian Army stand close to an unexploded bomb dropped by a fighter jet weeks earlier, at a checkpoint in Aleppo on Thursday, November 1.
Buildings lie destoryed by what activists say were missiles fired by a Syrian Air Force fighter jet loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Erbeen, near Damascus on Thursday. See photographs from October.Buildings lie destoryed by what activists say were missiles fired by a Syrian Air Force fighter jet loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Erbeen, near Damascus on Thursday. See photographs from October.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Photos: Showdown in SyriaPhotos: Showdown in Syria
Nic Robertson: Syria's Frontline Town
Syrian opposition forms new coalition

Government warplanes also bombarded Damascus and flashpoints in the country's north, according to the opposition Local Coordination Committees.

Read more: Young Syrian amputee makes dangerous journey to find help

So far Wednesday, fighting has claimed the lives of 62 people, the LCC said.

Clinton, speaking Wednesday from Perth, Australia, announced a $30 million injection of new food assistance for people inside Syria and refugees in neighboring countries, raising the total U.S. aid to $200 million.

France and the United States backed a new coalition of Syrian dissidents Tuesday, but Damascus slammed the group, saying any effort to topple President Bashar al-Assad will be futile.

Read more: After the election, a new push on Syria

After 20 months of relentless turmoil, rebel forces had not had a unified vision for the country or a military plan to oust al-Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for more than four decades. The United States and Arab nations pressured the groups to get on the same page.

The new coalition agreed that it wants al-Assad gone and that no one would talk with his government. Spokesman Mohammed Dugham said the only option now is a totally new government.

A total of 107,769 Syrian refugees have arrived in Turkey as of October 30, Turkey's state news agency Anadolu reported, citing Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The U.N. refugee agency says more than 408,000 Syrians have fled their country, and the number is rising.

CNN's Ivan Watson, Ben Brumfield and Saad Abedine contributed to this report.

No comments:

Post a Comment