Turkey: Syria Firing Across Our Border

Syrian government forces killed two and wounded three in a cross-border shooting into Turkey yesterday, according to Turkish officials. The shots, which rang out near one of the biggest Syrian refugee camps, came days before a UN-brokered cease-fire was set to begin, further indicating that the deal is on thin ice, the New York Times reports. Another sign the cease-fire is in doubt: Syrian president Bashar al-Assad said yesterday he required written guarantees that the opposition would drop their weapons ahead of any troop withdrawal.

But the opposition Free Syrian Army "will not give guarantees" because it doesn't recognize the government's authority, says its commander. The government has also called on Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia to stop supporting rebel forces. The proposed peace plan was the only one supported by Syrian allies as well as the UN, Arab League, and Syria itself, notes the Washington Post. Meanwhile, violence continues; at least 21 were reported killed yesterday, activists tell the Telegraph. (More Syria stories.)