"There is a realization that Turkey has to act quickly and
unilaterally," an official said.
Officials said a buffer zone would host Syrian refugees
along a 10-kilometer wide strip along the Turkish border, Middle East Newsline reported. They said the
military would ensure security from the Assad regime and help provide water
and basic services.
On June 10, about 2,700 Syrians, many of them from Jisr Al Shughour,
were said to have fled to Turkey. About 100 of them were reported injured
and taken to hospitals in Hatay. Over the last 10 weeks, more than 1,300
Syrians have been killed in the revolt against Assad.
The flow of Syrian refugees has resulted in a harder line by Ankara
toward the Assad regime. Erdogan, after initially defending the regime in
Damascus, has become increasingly critical of Assad.
Over the last two weeks, Ankara has hosted meetings by the Syrian
opposition. The Turkish prime minister also said he would not close the
border to fleeing Syrians.
"How long is it going to be like this?" Erdogan asked.