Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he doesn’t want war with Syria.

Erdogan's remarks are expected to ease tensions between the two countries following a Syrian shelling that killed five civilians in the Turkish border town of Akcakale and Turkey’s retaliatory strike against Syria. Turkey's parliament also authorized military operations outside its borders if deemed necessary by the government.

The prime minister said at a news conference in Akcakale that all Turkey wants is peace and security, adding that it would never want to start a war.

However, Erdogan stressed that "Turkey is a country which is capable of protecting its people and borders,” and no one should attempt to test its determination.