Turkey, Syria conduct military exercise

ANKARA, Turkey, April 27 (UPI) -- Turkish and Syrian ground forces conducted joint military exercises along their shared border in what is described as the first-ever cooperation of its kind.

Turkish daily Today's Zaman said the joint exercise would boost bilateral relations between the two neighbors in an effort to contribute to the capability of border troops.

Ankara and Damascus signed a bilateral agreement in 2002 that allows both countries to coordinate their military activity.

That effort is in part a reflection of the move by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to ease at least some of the isolationist policies in his country.

Both countries approached the brink of war in 1998 following Ankara's displeasure with Syrian support for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party.

The military exercise brought criticism from the Israeli government Monday, sparking concerns over the relationship between Jerusalem and Ankara, The Jerusalem Post reports.

"Today a Syrian-Turkish military maneuver is taking place, definitely a disturbing development," said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, noting he hoped bilateral relations with Turkey would remain amicable.

The military exercise is expected to conclude Wednesday.