The Turkish Air Force shot down a Syrian helicopter at the border on September 16, 2013, after it reportedly violated Turkey’s airspace.
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The military said the unknown aircraft detected near the border had been warned three times before it was shot down “in accordance with rules of engagement”.
According to Turkish broadcaster NTV, it was a drone shot down more than a mile inside Turkish airspace.
Turkey claimed that the drone was given ample warning before it was brought down.
The Russian embassy in Ankara has said Moscow is looking into the allegation of the second airspace violation. Drones, the news reports said, were operating as planned.
“It’s a drone. We are trying to identify its nationality”, a senior Turkish government official said.
“All the airplanes of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have returned… after accomplishing their combat tasks”, said Maj.
On Friday Russian warplanes hit areas in support of the army’s offensive south of Aleppo, which lies around 35 km (20 miles) from the Turkish border.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov says he will consult with Turkish officials in Istanbul on October 18.
Turkish jets have already been scrambled twice to intercept incursions by Russian aircraft into Turkish airspace since Russia’s air campaign in Syria began a little over two weeks ago.
The aircraft downed inside Turkish air space is a drone, Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu told a press conference in Ankara Friday. He said between 5,000 and 7,000 people from Russian Federation and other ex-Soviet nations are fighting alongside Islamic State militants.
“The Pentagon may say whatever it wants”, he said. Russian and USA military officials have been working on a set of rules to prevent any problems.
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If the drone taken out by Turkey is indeed revealed to be Russian-made and operated, it will be another development in a long line of problematic encounters and exchanges between Turkey and Russia.
