(Creative Commons)

The attack pushes the conflict in Syria one step closer to a regional war, as turmoil increasingly spills over into  neighboring Turkey.

The Associated Press broke the story:

The Turkish statement says the artillery fired “on points in Syria that were detected with radar, in line with the rules of engagement.”

The artillery fire on Wednesday followed shelling, believed to be from Syrian government forces that hit the Turkish village of Akcakale.

A Turkish ruling party official says five people died.

NATO will hold an emergency meeting in Brussels at the request of the Turkish ambassador, in response to the mortar bomb fire.

Read the full story at The Associated Press.

Read Neon Tommy's coverage of Syria here.

Reach Senior News Editor Sarah Parvini here; follow her on Twitter.