Turkey's Military On Heightened Alert As Nato Condemns Syria For Missile Attack

Turkey's Military On Alert As Nato Condemns Syria Over Downed Jet

Tension between Turkey and Syria rose on Tuesday with PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan explaining to his parliament that Turkish military rules of engagement have toughened following the downing of an F-4 Phantom jet by Syrian missile defences.

Mr Erdogan explained that Syrian troops threatening Turkey’s borders would be seen as a military threat, according to BBC News.

The announcement came as Nato formally declared that it stood shoulder to shoulder with Turkey and condemned Syria for the attack.

Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen answers press questions following a statement

This came as a result of Turkey invoking Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, which allows a member nation to summon Nato officials to a meeting if it believes its security is threatened.

In a statement Nato said: “We consider this act to be unacceptable and condemn it in the strongest terms.

“It is another example of the Syrian authorities’ disregard for international norms, peace and security, and human life.

“Our thoughts at this difficult time are with the missing Turkish aircrew, their families and their loved ones. We continue to follow the situation closely and with great concern, and will remain seized of developments on the South-Eastern border of NATO.

“The security of the Alliance is indivisible. We stand together with Turkey in the spirit of strong solidarity.”

In his address, the Turkish prime minister argued that the phantom was an “unarmed reconnaissance jet” inside international airspace when it was fired upon.

He has admitted that the jet strayed inside Syrian airspace but said the pilots immediately changed course and that missiles were launched without any warning.

The two crew members are still missing.

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