Ankara, March 10 (IANS/EFE): Turkey closed two border crossings with Syria on Monday as a result of heavy clashes in Syria between government forces and rebels.
The Cilvegozu and Oncupinar crossings, located about 55 km west and north, respectively, of the Syrian city of Aleppo, were closed as anti-regime rebels and the Syrian army battled on, security sources told Efe.
Cilvegozu police said that the clashes prompted the closure of the crossing on the Syrian side, preventing access to Turkey from Syria, noting that it would remain closed until further notice.
It is, however, still possible to pass from Turkey into Syria at both the crossings, according to the Sabah newspaper.
Security measures have been stepped up on the Turkish side of the border owing to the surge of clashes in Azaz, a small town outside Aleppo in close proximity to Turkish territory.