One Turk Dead In Syria Border Skirmish With Smugglers

At least one Turkish national who was aiding Syrian smugglers were killed while another Syrian national critically injured in a brief border skirmish with Turkish border guards late on Monday.

The incident took place in southern Turkish province of Kilis, from where a group of smugglers tried to sneak in through Syria's Duruca village, carrying tea, cigarettes and fuel -- goods that are charged high in taxes when entered through legal border customs.

When the border patrols on duty spotted the smugglers, they issued a warning. Defying the call from the soldiers, the smugglers started shooting at the Turkish troops. In the ensuing armed clash, 40 years old Mehmet Kör and 42 years old Abdo Mahaddo were critically injured. Other Syrian smugglers escaped into Syria.

Turkish ambulances took both wounded smugglers to Kilis State Hospital. Doctors could not save Turkish national Kör while the health situation of Mahaddo is life-threatening. Kör's body was taken to morgue for further autopsy.

Security services deployed additional troops in and around the hospital where Kör was died. His relatives soon were thronged outside the hospital and later pushed back by the security. The army has launched an investigation into the incident.(Cihan/Today’s Zaman)
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