Gul: Warplane May Have Crossed Syrian Border

Syria says it shot down a Turkish fighter jet because it trespassed on Syria’s territorial waters. In Turkey, the government has reacted carefully and cautiously to this potentially explosive incident; the prime minister says Turkey will respond once all the facts are known.

A search is still under way for the two pilots from the downed plane. Syrian authorities said they downed the Turkish fighter jet in accordance with laws that govern such situations. They said Syria’s defense systems shot a jet flying fast and low, close to the Syrian coast. Turkish president Abdullah Gul says the incident cannot be ignored. He says it is not possible to cover over a thing like this, and adds that whatever is necessary will no doubt be done, Gul acknowledged that Turkey’s warplane could have violated Syrian airspace. He says, jets flying fast often briefly cross into other countries’ airspace. He adds that this is nothing unusual, and promises that a full investigation will be carried out, “with nothing hidden.”