New details of Turkish artillery strike on Syria

The Turkish military responded to a Syrian artillery shell hitting a residential building in Akchakal with about 70 artillery shots at the Syrian forces in the Ain-el-Arus District (4.5 km away from the border) south of Tell-Abyad, ITAR-TASS reports.

Syrian forces lost three tanks, two armored trucks, howitzers and 10 soldiers.

About 17 shots his the Turkish territory. Ankara believes that it was a purposeful attack from Syria.

The Turkish parliament approved extension of the mandate for trans-border operations in Syria on Thursday. Ankara’s concept of reaction underwent changes after Syrian forces had shot down a Turkish jet in June. Turkey will scramble jets and helicopters if any Syrian aircraft or ground vehicle moves closer than 5 km to the border.