Iran Urges Syria, Turkey to Show Restraint over Border Clashes

"The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on both sides (Turkey and Syria) to exercise self-restraint, launch a close study over the case and pay heed to the (hidden) goals of the enemies," Amir Abdollahian told FNA on Thursday.

He reiterated that both sides should pay attention to the presence of extremist and irresponsible armed groups in the region and also the enemies' tactics and plots.

"Protecting the territorial integrities of Syria and Turkey, as well as resorting to self-restraint are the prerequisites to help bring back calm to Syria," Amir Abdollahian added.

He pointed out that regional security depends on border control by Syria's neighboring countries, "which has been stressed in the negotiations held in Cairo and New York".

Turkish artillery hit targets near Syria's Tel Abyad border town for a second day on Thursday, killing several Syrian soldiers according to activists and security sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said several Syrian soldiers were killed in the Turkish bombardment of a military post near the Syrian town of Tel Abyad, a few miles across the frontier from Akcakale.

On Wednesday, a mortar hit the border town of Akcakale in Southern Turkey.

It was not clear who fired the mortar into Turkey, but security sources said it had come from near Tel Abyad and that Turkey was increasing the number of troops along its border.

Syria said it was investigating the source of the mortar bomb and urged restraint. Information Minister Omran Zoabi conveyed his condolences to the Turkish people, saying his country respected the sovereignty of neighboring countries.

Since the beginning of unrests in Syria in March 2011, Turkey has tried hard to intensify the crisis in Syria by training terrorists and sending weapons to the Arab country. Such behavior resulted in further problems for the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in its relations with its neighbors.
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