Ankara: Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu travelled into Syria today to visit a relocated historic tomb inside the country, his office said.
The trip, which was not announced in advance, is the first such visit by a Turkish political leader to the tomb of Suleyman Shah, grandfather of the Ottoman empire's founder Osman I, just 200 metres (650 feet) from the Turkish border inside Syrian territory.
Davutoglu visited Turkish troops who are permanently stationed at the tomb, which now lies in the settlement of Eshme and is easily visible from Turkish territory, his office said.
The tomb complex, which is considered sovereign Turkish territory, had been located some 37 kilometres (23 miles) inside Syrian territory.
Army chief of staff Necdet Ozel, flanked by commanders from land and air forces, visited the tomb in March.
The latest visit comes amid speculation that Turkey is preparing to intervene militarily in Syria, a claim rejected by Davutoglu.
"No, there is no situation right now that requires Turkey's involvement," Davutoglu told Turkish media this weekend, labelling the claims as "empty words".
The trip, which was not announced in advance, is the first such visit by a Turkish political leader to the tomb of Suleyman Shah, grandfather of the Ottoman empire's founder Osman I, just 200 metres (650 feet) from the Turkish border inside Syrian territory.
Davutoglu visited Turkish troops who are permanently stationed at the tomb, which now lies in the settlement of Eshme and is easily visible from Turkish territory, his office said.
The tomb complex, which is considered sovereign Turkish territory, had been located some 37 kilometres (23 miles) inside Syrian territory.
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Army chief of staff Necdet Ozel, flanked by commanders from land and air forces, visited the tomb in March.
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The latest visit comes amid speculation that Turkey is preparing to intervene militarily in Syria, a claim rejected by Davutoglu.
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"No, there is no situation right now that requires Turkey's involvement," Davutoglu told Turkish media this weekend, labelling the claims as "empty words".
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