ANKARA
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said they wanted only peace and security in the region.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Iran's First-Vice President Mohammed Reza Rahimi in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan stressed that they had no intention for a war.
Erdogan's comments came just a day after Syrian artillery shells that landed in south-eastern town of Akcakale killed 5 Turkish citizens and wounded 9 others.
I wish God's mercy to those killed in Akcakale and offer condolences to the Turkish nation, Erdogan said.
Yesterday's incident in Akcakale was not just an ordinary one since it showed how a clash in a country (Syria) could have an effect beyond borders, Erdogan stated.
"This was not the first attack of Syria against Turkey. There were seven other attacks made by Syria on Turkey in recent times," Erdogan underlined.
Every country we have spoken with on Wednesday and Thursday has condemned Syria's attack on Turkey, Erdogan expressed.
"We only want peace and security in our region. This is what we care about. We have no intention for a war," Erdogan noted.
"The results of war are clear in Iraq and Afghanistan. The results of war of the past 1.5 years in Syria are clear. It is not possible for us to say 'yes' to war. We want the war in Syria to end immediately. We just cannot tolerate the killing of people and the massacres of Muslims by Muslims," Erdogan stated.
"The Republic of Turkey is strong enough to protect its citizens and borders. No one should test our determination in this regard," Erdogan said.
"A Syrian artillery shell landed in the southern province of Hatay's Altinozu town on Thursday. They (Syrians) claim that such shells land on Turkish territory by mistake or due to accidents. We invite all our friends to be sensitive on this issue," Erdogan said.
"On a Prime Ministry motion that was approved by the Turkish Parliament on Thursday and one that authorized the Turkish government to send troops abroad, Prime Minister Erdogan said that those who were against the motion in the parliament will not be able to pay the price to history.
"We will talk to our people about those who opposed the Prime Ministry motion," Erdogan said.
The Prime Ministry motion was designed as a deterrent factor, Erdogan indicated.
"The crisis in Syria openly threatens regional peace and security. We are working with Iran to solve this crisis," Erdogan also said.
