Turkey could create ‘security zone’ on Syrian border

TURKEY has said it might set up a “buffer zone” inside Syria to protect refugees fleeing president Bashar al-Assad’s forces, raising the prospect of foreign intervention in the year-long revolt.

Turkey has urged its citizens to quit Syria because of the growing insecurity and raised the prospect of creating a safe zone on its border. “A buffer zone, a security zone, are things being studied,” Turkish prime minister Tayyip Erdogan said.

Ankara is wary of military intervention and has made clear any creation of a “security zone” would need some form of international agreement, not least because it would require armed protection and could alter the dynamics of the uprising.

Turkey says it is now hosting 14,700 Syrian refugees, after 250 people crossed its borders yesterday. Some 1,000 had arrived the day before, fleeing fierce fighting in Idlib province.

At a refugee camp near the village of Boynu Yogun, Syrians celebrated when they heard Mr Erdogan’s comments broadcast on live television.

“This is what we wanted from the beginning. We want all the civilians in this area protected,” said Walid Hassan, who fled Syria nine months ago.