Turkey Border Town Quiet after Syria Shelling

A town on the Turkey-Syria border was quiet Friday after Syrian shells killed five civilians there prompting military retaliation from Turkey.

The Turkish military has amassed tanks and anti-aircraft missiles in the town of Akcakale, following the deadly incident on Wednesday.

Several military vehicles were patrolling the town that lies opposite the Tall al-Abyad border post controlled by Syrian rebels since last month, an AFP photographer reported.

Local residents were freely crossing over to the Syrian side of the border to provide water and food for their Syrian neighbors.

Syria's killing of five Turks -- two women and three children -- marked the first time that Syrian fire had killed Turkish nationals since the uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime began in March 2011.

Turkey immediately retaliated by pounding unspecified Syrian targets, killing several Syrian soldiers, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which did not provide an exact figure.

Turkey ceased firing early Thursday but officials warned the shelling could resume "if needed."