Turkey deploys missile and artillery systems near the border with Syria 10607153

Defence & Security News - Turkey
 
Turkey deploys missile and artillery systems near the border with Syria.
A large number of military convoys carrying missile systems and artillery out from Ankara have reached the Syrian border province of Kilis. Turkish Special Forces Commander Major General Intelligence Aksakalli received information on a last minute check, July 5, 2015.
     
A large number of military convoys carrying missile systems and artillery out from Ankara have reached the Syrian border province of Kilis. Turkish Special Forces Commander Major General Intelligence Aksakalli received information on a last minute check, July 5, 2015. The Turkish army has increased its military presence on the Syrian border, on July 1, 2015, continuing the deployment of military reinforcements to the state of Keles bordering Syria.
     

They have taken up positions in the Elbeyli and Öncüpinar districts along the border.

A battalion belonging to the 4th Commando Brigade stationed in the eastern province of Tunceli had also been redeployed to the border last week. Currently there are 54,000 military personnel deployed along the border with Syria, corresponding to 15 percent of the Army’s total troop count.

Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) Special Forces Commander Major General Sezai Aksakal arrived in the southeastern province of Sanliurfa on Sunday to inspect the special forces unit known as the Maroon Berets and to be briefed on other units stationed in the area.

The commanders of armored and motorized units deployed along the border, as well as those of the Bolu and Kayseri commando brigades that might be used for a possible cross-border operation into Syria, have been summoned to a meeting at TSK Headquarters in Ankara later on this week.

During this meeting, it was also discussed the possibility for the deployment of over 400 armored personnel carriers, protected by signal jammers, against the mines and improvised explosive devices (IED) laid out by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The role of the Turkish Air Force in supporting such an operation is also expected to be discussed.