Syrian rebels seize government army outpost near Turkish border province Hatay, witnesses and villagers say - @Reutershttp://reut.rs/QHvfL1
7:54 AM - 7 Oct 12 · Details
* Turkish border calmer after mortar bombs hit on Saturday
* Syrian activists say Khirbet al-Joz under rebel control
* Some 50 people reportedly killed in fight for Syrian village
By Hamdi Istanbullu
GUVECCI, Turkey, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Syrian rebels have seized a government army outpost near the Turkish border province of Hatay and a rebel flag flew over the building on Sunday, while clashes could be heard in the area of a nearby Syrian village, a Reuters witness and villagers said.
The rebels took control of the three-storey white building, around 1 km (mile) from the border on a hill overlooking the Turkish village of Guvecci on Saturday, and raised the flag of the Free Syrian Army, villagers said.
"In the last four days there were heavy clashes going on here. We couldn't sleep. Yesterday morning, the Syrian army controlled this area. Now it is calmer," said villager Musa Sasak, 27.
Three mortar bombs fired from Syria landed near Guvecci village on Saturday, prompting a fourth day of retaliatory fire from Turkish forces. The Syrian mortar rounds hit empty land and there were no casualties.
The exchanges are the most serious cross-border violence in the Syrian conflict, which began as pro-democracy protests but has evolved into a civil war with sectarian overtones. They highlight how the crisis could destabilise the region.
Clashes could be heard on Sunday in the area of the Syrian village of Khirbet al-Joz, behind the hill where the military outpost was located. Smoke could be seen rising from the area.
