Turkey-Syria Border Arms Buildup In Wake of Downed Turkish Jet

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that any Syrian military that approaches the Turkish border will be considered a threat and be dealt with accordingly.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that a convoy of 30 military vehicles carrying missiles were deployed near the Syrian-Turkey border not far from Iskenderun town. More Turkish military vehicles were deployed to Sanliurfa, near Hatay province.

Last week, Syria shot down a Turkish F4 which strayed into its airspace and the two pilots still have not been found despite an extensive search and rescue operation off Syria's coast. Syria claims the plane was in its airspace and was perceived as a threat, while Turkey said it was there for five minutes only and had entered its airspace by mistake.

The situation in Syria has worsened amid statements by President Bashar al-Assad that the country is in a state of war. An estimated 12,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict between government troops and protesters against Assad. In recent months anti-government rebels have armed themselves and the conflict turned into a civil war with escalating attacks from both sides.

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