Turkey's Syria border gate closed after clashes

KILIS, Turkey

Turkey temporarily closed the Syrian border gate at Oncupinar on Monday following an outbreak of fighting across the frontier, the local governor said.

The crossing, which is a major point for traffic between Turkey and opposition-held areas of northern Syria, lies around 6 kilometers (4 miles) from the Syrian town of Azaz, which is controlled by Turkey-backed opposition groups.

Kilis governor’s office said in a statement that the crossing had been closed to all but emergency vehicles due to developments on the Syrian side.

In Azaz, three civilians, including two children, were killed recently in clashes between opposition groups. Fifteen others were injured.

Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield in August to drive terrorists out of northern Syria and has backed opposition forces to target Daesh as well as regime troops.

*Reporting by Izzet Mazi, Selen Temizer and Halit Suleyman; Writing by Can Erozden