TURKEY SEALS BORDER CROSSING WITH SYRIA AFTER DEADLY BOMB ATTACKS

Hatay, Turkey, 12 Rajab 1434/23 May 2013 (MINA) – Turkey has closed a border gate with Syria following two deadly bomb attacks in Turkey’s southern province of Hatay.

“We are closely observing and controlling the border gates between Syria and Turkey. We have closed the Yayladagi border gate after the sad event in (the border town of) Reyhanli to prevent suspects from fleeing,” a statement from Turkish Customs Minister Hayat Yazici said on Tuesday.

The Yayladagi gate, which is situated some 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Reyhanli, remains closed for at least one month to prevent those involved in the May 11 deadly twin bombings from fleeing.

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According to Press TV report monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA), Ankara has accused Damascus of being behind the bombings which killed more than 50 people.

But Damascus held Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responsible for the attacks, noting that Ankara has facilitated the flow of arms, explosives, vehicles, militants and money across the border into the Arab country.

Damascus also stated that Turkey has planned the attacks to use them as a pretext to justify foreign intervention in Syria.

In February, at least 14 people lost their lives in a bombing at the Cilvegozu border gate near Reyhanli. (T/P05/E1)

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Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)