Russian president Vladimir Putin has vowed ‘significant consequences’ over yesterday’s downing of a military jet by Turkey over Syria. The fighter plane was shot out of the sky and both pilots are believed to have been killed by Syrian rebels as they parachuted down, metro.co.uk reports
It is the first time in half a century that a Nato member has downed a Russian plane. The long-feared incident highlighted the growing complexity of Syria’s civil war, as multiple groups with clashing alliances fight on the ground and the sky is crowded with aircraft bombing various targets.
It immediately prompted fierce reaction from Moscow. Putin called Turkey’s action a ‘stab in the back by the terrorists’ accomplices’ and warned of ‘significant consequences’
Meanwhile, Russia has cancelled a planned official trip to Turkey which was billed for today Wednesday 25th November 2015.
In Her own defense,Turkey said two Russian SU-24 planes ignored several warnings that they were nearing, and then intruding into, Turkish airspace. In a letter to the UN Security Council and secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, it said the planes disregarded warnings and violated Turkish airspace ‘to a depth of 1.36 miles and 1.15 miles in length for 17 seconds’ just after 9.24am local time.
Meanwhile, NATO, a defense pack organization, which Turkey is a member has called on all parties to be prudent and to contribute to reducing tensions. And a statement by NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg added ''as we have repeatedly made clear we stand in solidarity with Turkey and support the territorial integrity of our Nato ally, Turkey,’ Mr Stoltenberg said after an extraordinary meeting of the alliance’s decision-making North Atlantic Council, called at Turkey’s request. Metro UK
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