A total of eight trucks loaded with tanks and howitzers passed through Kilis and in the direction of Elbeyli district on the Syrian border, Hurriyet daily reported.
The military vehicles were transferred under security measures to troops on the Syrian side of the border, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media.
Security sources told daily Hurriyet that the M-60 tanks were sent to the border as part of Ankara's contingency plan to contain a new refugee wave over the Syrian regime's looming assault on Idlib, a northwestern Syrian province that remained as one of the last strongholds of the opposition.
The tanks are also equipped with close distance observation systems to monitor migrant movements.
Turkey expanded Atme refugee camp on the Syrian side of the border and reinforced its 12 observation stations in Idlib ahead of the looming battle.
The U.N. worries that the offensive could force 2.5 million people toward the Turkish border.
Reporter's code: 50101
<p style="text-align:left">Turkey deployed more military vehicles to its southeastern province of Kilis near the Syrian border early Aug. 4.
News Code 24942
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