HATAY, Turkey
Syrian opposition forces are occupying more towns in the Turkmen Bayir-Bucak region as clashes with the Syrian regime intensify.
For almost a week, conflict in the town of Kesab, in the Turkmen Bayir-Bucak region of Latakia in Syria, has raged between the Syrian regime and the opposition. However, the town has remained calm since the opposition took over and raised flags at the local police stations.
The fighting has since moved closer to the Turkish border with three regime-controlled border posts reportedly captured by the opposition while clashes have been heard in the Turkish border town of Yayladagi, where 1 person has died and 8 have been injured.
Turkey has put its security forces on alert and warned its citizens living near the border after Turkman Commander, Abu Rashad Abdullah died in the clashes.
The Syrian civil war, which has entered its fourth year, has claimed more than 140,000 lives, according to the London-based Syrian Network for Human Rights.
Syria has been gripped by almost constant fighting since President Bashar al-Assad's regime responded to anti-government protests in March 2011 with a violent crackdown, sparking a conflict which has spiraled into a civil war.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
