Israel Trumpets 'Direct Hits' on Syrian Targets

Following a warning missile yesterday, Israel has launched further attacks on Syria in response to Syrian mortar rounds that strayed across the border. Israel says its tanks managed "direct hits" on "Syrian mobile artillery" today, the AP reports. Meanwhile, dozens of Syrians have fled into Turkey after a warplane bombed a rebel stronghold near the border. The Syrian plane's attacks landed just yards away from the border fence, Reuters reports, as helicopters launched attacks nearby.

Some 120,000 registered Syrian refugees are now in Turkey, which is considering a Patriot missile defense to keep the conflict outside its borders—and is getting a helping hand from NATO. "NATO as an organization will do what it takes to protect and defend Turkey, our ally," says the organization's secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who applauded a new alliance forged between opposition groups. That coalition is now hurrying to achieve recognition from the Arab League, a "first step," according to coalition leader Mouaz al-Khatib, before gathering support from Arab and Western "Friends of Syria" as well as the UN. (More Israel stories.)