Shit. this is very, very bad: Syrian Troops Fire Across Turkish Border in Clash Near Refugee Camp

[cali]

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR and SEBNEM ARSU
Published: April 9, 2012

BEIRUT, Lebanon — The deadly confrontation between Syria and opposition groups spilled into Turkey for the first time on Monday as Syrian forces fired across the border near a refugee camp, casting a further pall over prospects for a United Nations peace plan due to be put into effect this week.
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The shooting killed two Syrian refugees and wounded at least 23 people, including a Turkish police officer, near the southern Turkish town of Kilis.

Residents of the camp reached by telephone said bullets had ripped through their prefabricated shelters, shattering windows and spreading panic. “Even the camp isn’t safe anymore,” said Ahmad, a refugee who used only one name out of concern for repercussions in Syria.

A senior Turkish Foreign Ministry official said Syria’s ranking diplomat had been summoned and given a harsh message about Turkey’s “irritation” with the episode. There was no immediate comment from Syria.

<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/world/middleeast/turkey-accuses-syria-of-firing-across-border.html?_r=1

Yeah, yeah. I know. It's really the U.S. or our minions fomenting war in order to take down Iran. Too bad there's video of this incident as well as reporting from many different sources.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. If Syria only had more oil reserves

we could help those poor people.

[cali]

3. you know, I don't want any military intervention by the U.S.

but man, this is not good at all.

[joshcryer]

10. If Syria had significant reserves Russia would've invaded already.

[Daniel537]

2. Isn't this an attack on all of NATO?

The Assad regime truly is psychopathic. Negotiating with these types of thugs if worthless. The only language they understand is force.

[cali]

4. I don't know, but I'm against U.S. military intervention.

[Daniel537]

5. I'm in favor of it. Frankly it should have been done months ago.

If we keep waiting around for things to get better the mas graves will only continue to pile up. And we don't need boots on the ground to get rid of this guy, you pound away at his forces from the air and arm the resistance and his regime will collapse.

[cali]

6. yeah, we really need another fucking military adventure in the middle east

particularly when people are suffering here at home.

[Daniel537]

7. Who said anything about an adventure?

We helped get rid of Gadhafi with little cost and no lives lost, why not repeat that model in Syria? Considering the amount of weapons our military already has at its disposal, why not use them for getting rid of a mass-murdering dictator who just happens to be Iran's number 1 ally in the Arab world? I just have a tough time rationalizing why we should stay out of a slaughter like this if we have the ability to do something about it.

[cali]

8. call it what you will

I am beyond sick of our going to war.

[Odin2005]

12. Yes.

An attack on one ally is an attack on all.

[Kaleva]

9. Turkey is a very strong regional power

Syrian forces firing shells into Turkey is a foolish thing IMO.

[Odin2005]

11. Pissing off the Turks = VERY BAD IDEA!!!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

13. The Turks Would Destroy Syria In A War

And given the fact that Turkey is in NATo attacking them is like attacking the United States.

[Zalatix]

15. Yup, Damascus = one giant Turkish soldier barracks inside of a week.

[tabatha]

14. The explanation for this was given in this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002540090

It was not deliberate - it was some in the Syrian regime taking potshots at refugees voicing objection to what was happening on the Syrian side.

However, it must stop.