Report: Syria Army, Rebels Fight over Turkey Border Post

The Syrian army and rebel forces clashed on Tuesday in the north of the country Tuesday for control of the Tall al-Abyad border post with Turkey, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Heavy machine gun fire and exploding shells could be heard from the Turkish side of the border near the town of Akcakale, where town hall officials asked residents by loud speakers to stay away from the border.

Syrians are fleeing the area, Anatolia said identifying the rebels as members of the Free Syrian Army.

Tall al-Abyad is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the Syrian town of Ar Raqqah and its border post was relatively little used up until recently.

Since late July Syrian rebels fighting the regime of President Bashar Assad have taken control of at least three key border crossings with Turkey -- Bab al-Hawa, Al-Salama and Jarabulus.