Syrian forces knew the identity of a Turkish military jet before shooting it down over international airspace, according to Turkey’s ambassador to the United Nations.
“Radio communication among Syrian authorities clearly demonstrates that the Syrian units were fully aware of the circumstances and the fact that the aircraft belonged to Turkey,” Ertugrul Apakan said in a letter to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon obtained Monday. He said Syrian forces also shot at a Turkish rescue plane even after Turkey “established coordination with the Syrian authorities.”
Syria’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Jihad Makdissi, said Monday that the shooting of the plane took place inside the country’s airspace and was a defensive act following a “clear violation of Syrian sovereignty.” He also described it as an “accident.”
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