Naharnet

Report: Syria Deploys Missiles near Border with Lebanon

The Syrian army deployed advanced surface-to-air missiles along the northern border district of Akkar, Ad Diyar newspaper reported on Friday.

According to the report, the missiles can shoot down advanced military warplanes.

The newspaper said that Syria's step is precautionary in case Turkey uses Lebanese territories to attack it.

Tension escalated between Turkey and Syria recently after a spate of cross-border shell and mortar firings.

Turkey, which has been vocal in its criticism of Syrian President Bashar Assad's crackdown on the opposition, has beefed up its military presence along the 910-kilometer frontier after shelling from Syria killed five Turkish civilians in a border town last week.

The poorly-demarcated Syrian-Lebanese border has witnessed a number of violations since the revolt against Assad began in mid-March 2011.

Lebanon and Syria share a 330-kilometer border, but have yet to agree on official demarcation.


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