Tensions in the Middle East have risen after Syria shelled the Turkish town of Akcakale, killing two women and three children. On Thursday, Turkey's parliament authorized military action against Syria if permitted by Ankara.
According to the BBC, the Turkish parliament met in a closed-doors emergency session after the shelling of Akcakale to pass the bill, which was approved by 320 to 129.
The bill, which allows strikes against Syrian targets, was not a war mandate, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay insisted. On Turkish television, the deputy prime minister said, "This mandate is not a war mandate but it is in our hands to be used when need be in order to protect Turkey's own interests."
Turkey fired retaliatory shots at Syrian targets killing several Syrian troops, a UK-based Syrian activist group told the BBC.
Atalay also said that the Syrian government had taken responsibility for the deaths in Akcakale. "The Syrian side has admitted what it did and apologized," he said.
The BBC identified the victims of Wednesday's shelling as Zeliha Timucin, her three daughters and her sister. The five victims were buried in a local cemetery Thursday morning.
The UN Security Council was called to meet by Turkey to take "necessary action" against Syrian "aggression," the BBC reported. According to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky, the Secretary General was "alarmed by escalating tensions along the Syrian-Turkish border" and called for "maximum restraint."
Nesirky added, "As the situation inside Syria deteriorates yet further...the risks of regional conflict and the threat to international peace and security are also increasing."
Syria has endured 18 months of civil unrest, although it is the first time that the conflict has spilled over the border to this extent.
The UN Security Council condemning the Syrian shelling "in the strongest terms" drafted a resolution on Thursday, calling it a "violation of international law," the BBC reported.
According to the Guardian, however, Syria's main ally, Russia, is hoping to amend the UN statement to not include any reference to "violation of international law." The revised Russian statement reads, "The members of the security council called on the parties to exercise restraint and avoid military clashes which could lead to a further escalation of the situation in the border area between Syria and Turkey."
The BBC also reported that NATA has also held a meeting to show its support for Turkey, calling "the immediate cessation of such aggressive acts against an ally."
Despite rising tensions, many in Turkey and abroad appear to be against going to war. Ibrahim Kalin, a senior advisor to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, tweeted, "Turkey has no interest in a war with Syria. But Turkey is capable of protecting its borders and will retaliate when necessary."
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