Turkey shoots down Syrian military jet
Turkish forces have shot down a Syrian military jet they say was violating their airspace despite warnings.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned such action by Syria merited a "heavy response".
But Syria accused Turkey of "blatant aggression", saying the plane had been over Syrian territory at the time.
The incident reportedly occurred in an area where Syrian rebels and government forces have been fighting for control of a border crossing.
Turkey and Syria - once allies - share more than 500 miles (800km) of border.
Turkey has broadly sided with the rebels in Syria's war since October 2011.
Turkish forces launched artillery strikes on Syrian targets in late 2012 after the Syrians shot down a Turkish jet.
However, the BBC's James Reynolds in Istanbul says neither side is interested in a direct, sustained conflict.
'Ignored warnings'
Speaking at a rally of supporters, Mr Erdogan congratulated the air force on its actions on Sunday.
"A Syrian plane violated our airspace. Our F-16s took off and hit this plane. Why? because if you violate my airspace, our slap after this will be hard," he said.
A Syrian military source, quoted by state television, said Turkish air defences had shot down a Syrian jet as it attacked rebels on Syrian territory - an act of "blatant aggression".
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"At this point one of two Turkish F-16s... fired a missile at the Syrian jet in accordance with the rules of engagement”
Turkish military statement
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - a UK-based activist group - said initial reports from the area suggested the plane came down on the Syrian side of the border.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26706417
Turkish forces have shot down a Syrian military jet they say was violating their airspace despite warnings.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned such action by Syria merited a "heavy response".
But Syria accused Turkey of "blatant aggression", saying the plane had been over Syrian territory at the time.
The incident reportedly occurred in an area where Syrian rebels and government forces have been fighting for control of a border crossing.
Turkey and Syria - once allies - share more than 500 miles (800km) of border.
Turkey has broadly sided with the rebels in Syria's war since October 2011.
Turkish forces launched artillery strikes on Syrian targets in late 2012 after the Syrians shot down a Turkish jet.
However, the BBC's James Reynolds in Istanbul says neither side is interested in a direct, sustained conflict.
'Ignored warnings'
Speaking at a rally of supporters, Mr Erdogan congratulated the air force on its actions on Sunday.
"A Syrian plane violated our airspace. Our F-16s took off and hit this plane. Why? because if you violate my airspace, our slap after this will be hard," he said.
A Syrian military source, quoted by state television, said Turkish air defences had shot down a Syrian jet as it attacked rebels on Syrian territory - an act of "blatant aggression".
Continue reading the main story
"At this point one of two Turkish F-16s... fired a missile at the Syrian jet in accordance with the rules of engagement”
Turkish military statement
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - a UK-based activist group - said initial reports from the area suggested the plane came down on the Syrian side of the border.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26706417