Turkey's military announced on its website Tuesday that it will conduct exercises in the southern province of Hatay, where more than 7,000 Syrians have taken refuge from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's security forces.

The exercises near the Syrian border are scheduled to take place between October 5 and 13. The exercise may coincide with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Recep Erdogan's planned visit to the refugee camps in Hatay.

Turkey's once-close relationship with Syria has grown increasingly strained as Mr. Erdogan urged Mr. Assad to end a government crackdown on protestors and enact reforms. Thousands have died in Syria as a result of the violence.

Turkey has already imposed an arms embargo on Syria and Mr. Erdogan is expected to announce further sanctions against Syria's government when he visits Hatay.