Syria and Turkey exchanged fire yesterday, after Turkey shelled direct targets in response to a Syrian-fired mortar which killed five Turkish civilians. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the Syrian regime of a “provocation” targeting Turkish “national security,” while Turkey’s deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc suggested Turkey would pursue additional remedies in the context of international law. The spiraling violence complicates and undermines the long-standing foreign policy of the ruling Justice and Development Party, which sought to create warm relations and “zero problems” with Turkish neighbors including Iran and Syria.

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