From Joe Parkinson, Wall Street Journal:  Turkey’s top military commander on Wednesday warned that Ankara would launch a tougher response if Syrian shells continued to land on Turkish territory, underlining the heightened tensions along the neighbors’ long border.

"We responded but if it continues we will respond with greater force," state television channel TRT quoted Chief of General Staff Necdet Ozel as saying during a visit to the southern border town of Akcakale, where Syrian shells killed five Turkish civilians a week ago. . . .

Turkey’s military chief, who is currently touring the army’s reinforced positions along the 565-mile shared border, didn’t elaborate on what kind of extra force Ankara could use. . . .

NATO on Tuesday weighed in to say it had drawn up plans to defend Turkey after six straight days of retaliatory fire in response to shelling by Syria. . . .

Many Turkish officials have openly criticized what they see as a lack of support from traditional allies as the Syrian conflict has deepened.  (photo: PressTV/Iran)

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