Turkey announces border gate closure in response to Syrian clashes

Turkey's Oncupinar border gate was closed Thursday in response to fighting in Azaz between the Free Syrian Army and rebel groups affiliated with Al Qaeda, according to Reuters. Oncupinar has previously been used as one of the main routes for humanitarian assistance. Usually operating under an open door policy, Turkey has periodically closed its borders in response to security threats near its frontier.

Reuters reported that the clashes have recently ceased and mediation efforts are currently in progress.