ISIL’s advance increases tensions on the Turkey-Syria border

Refugee and Migrant Crisis

Since the start of ISIL’s advance into northern Syria, the border crossing at the Turkish town of Akcakale has been known as a hotbed of insurgent activity. CCTV America’s Natalie Carney filed the report from Akcakale, Turkey.
Follow Natalie Carney on Twitter @NatalieCarney77

Highlight:

  • ISIL had controlled the Syrian side of the Akcakale border crossing since last June, until Kurdish led forces recaptured it last week. ISIL had used the crossing to ferry supplies and people into Syria and ISIL controlled areas.
  • Turkey has long had an open door policy for displaced Syrians and argues that its near impossible to control the 800 kilometer porous border it has with the war ravaged country.
  • Last week Turkish authorities detained five Islamic State members when 18,000 people rushed the border to escape fighting in Tel Abyad.
  • Akcakale’s population has doubled since the Syrian war began, but some locals don’t see ISIL as a threat to them.