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Syria conflict: Turkish jets 'intercept Russian plane' | Syria conflict: Turkish jets 'intercept Russian plane' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Turkish F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after a Russian warplane violated Turkey's air space on Saturday, the foreign ministry said. | Turkish F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after a Russian warplane violated Turkey's air space on Saturday, the foreign ministry said. |
Russia said the incident was a "navigational error" and that it has "clarified" the matter to Ankara. | |
Turkish jets patrolling the border were also "harassed" by an unidentified plane on Sunday, Turkey said. | |
Russia has been carrying out air strikes in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad. | Russia has been carrying out air strikes in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad. |
Turkey has called the Russian strikes a "grave mistake". | |
On Monday Russia said it had "continued performing pinpoint strikes" on IS targets in Syria, carrying out 25 sorties and hitting nine Islamic State (IS) targets. | |
Among those targets was a communications centre in Homs, and a command centre in Latakia, it said. | |
The Russian air campaign began on Wednesday, with Moscow saying it was targeting IS positions and those of other extremists. | |
But Turkey and other members of the US-led coalition in Syria say the principle target is in fact the Syrian opposition groups fighting President Assad. | |
They assert that Russia's intervention will further escalate the conflict and risks driving more recruits to IS. | |
Saturday's interception took place near Yayladagi in its southern Hatay region, Turkey says. The foreign ministry in Ankara said it had summoned the Russian ambassador to issue a "strong protest". | |
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Turkish TV on Monday that the rules of engagement were clear, whoever violates its airspace. | |
"The Turkish Armed Forces are clearly instructed. Even if it is a flying bird, it will be intercepted," he said. | |
But he played down the possibility of a "Turkey-Russia crisis", saying that channels between the two countries remained open. | |
Russian air strikes - in depth | Russian air strikes - in depth |
Where key countries stand - Who is backing whom | Where key countries stand - Who is backing whom |
Why? What? How? - Five things you need to know about Russia's involvement | Why? What? How? - Five things you need to know about Russia's involvement |
What can Russia's air force do? - The US-led coalition has failed to destroy IS. Can Russia do any better? | What can Russia's air force do? - The US-led coalition has failed to destroy IS. Can Russia do any better? |
Inside an air strike - Activist describes "frightening Russian air strike" | Inside an air strike - Activist describes "frightening Russian air strike" |
Syria's civil war explained - Analysis and background on the conflict | Syria's civil war explained - Analysis and background on the conflict |
The Turkish foreign minister, Feridun Sinirlioglu, has spoken to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, as well as ministers from other Nato countries. | |
The Russian fighter plane "exited Turkish airspace into Syria" after being intercepted, the ministry said. | |
Nato said its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg would meet the Turkish Foreign Minister at the organisation's headquarters in Brussels later on Monday. | Nato said its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg would meet the Turkish Foreign Minister at the organisation's headquarters in Brussels later on Monday. |
The UK ambassador to Turkey described the incursion as "reckless and worrying" and said Nato allies stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Turkey. | The UK ambassador to Turkey described the incursion as "reckless and worrying" and said Nato allies stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Turkey. |