(Image Source: Nusaybinim.com)

BY ORKIDE IZCI

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Syria has closed two of its four border gates with Turkey-- a close neighbor and an old ally. But relations between the two have been getting icy. Word Bulletin explains...

“Syria on Thursday closed one of its border gates with Turkey as relations were strained further with Ankara's sanctions on Damascus to punish the Syrian regime over its refusal to end a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests.”

Turkey has been critical of Syria’s crackdown on anti-government protesters. According to the United Nations, more 3,500 people have died in what the organization is calling a civil war.

And in recent days, Turkish and Syrian officials have battled over the border, which was closed last week and reportedly reopened earlier this week.

Syria says the border’s been closed for maintenance. However Turkish media describes this as a crisis for those wishing to see family or transport goods for trade. Turkish National TV TRT reports, Turkey has a backup plan.

“The border gate crisis with Syria is increasing. Turkey is going to by-pass Syria and is going to use a sea connection to reach the Middle East with ferry transfers from [the Turkish city of] Mersin to Beirut.”

Local Turkish news site Nusaybinim.com has the interviews with people now waiting to cross the border.

Expectant: “We have been waiting here at the border gate for hours. The Nusaybin border gate is still cosed. Nobody cares about the citizens’ suffering.”
Journalist: “Do you know anything about when it will open?
Expectant: “There is no information. All we know is Syria has closed the gate as an one-side decision.”

But it’s not just Turkish media interpreting the border closure as a political snub -- international media are as well.The Wall Street Journal reports...

“The escalating trade dispute came as relations between the two neighbors plumbed new depths. Syria's state news organs accused Turkey of preparing a Western invasion and of harboring insurgents who staged an attack across the border.”

Turkish leaders as high up as the prime minister have on many occasions called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to end the crackdown and step down.