Turkey, Syria issue mutual air space ban
Source: AFP |
October 15, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Turkey banned all Syrian aircraft from its air space yesterday, days after intercepting a Syrian airliner carrying what it said were Russian-made munitions for the Syrian army.
Asked if Syrian aircraft were now banned from Turkish air space, a Foreign Ministry official said: "Yes, civilian aircraft. Military aircraft were de facto banned way before."
Syria said on Saturday it would ban Turkish passenger flights from its airspace starting yesterday in a retaliatory move after Turkey confiscated the cargo of what Russia said was radar equipment en route from Moscow to Damascus.
The reprisal, weeks before the annual hajj when thousands of Turkish pilgrims head to the Muslim holy places in Saudi Arabia on a route that would normally take them through Syrian airspace, came despite a flurry of diplomacy on Saturday intended to calm soaring tensions between the neighbors.
Syria accuses Turkey of channeling arms from Gulf Arab states to rebels fighting its troops, who have been under mounting pressure across large swathes of the north, including second city Aleppo.
The flight ban went into force from midnight "in accordance with the principle of reciprocity," SANA state news agency said.
Turkey has warned its airlines to avoid Syrian airspace for fear of retaliation for the interception of the Syrian Air flight by Turkish jets on the allegation it was carrying military equipment.
The United States backed its NATO ally's confiscation of what Russia said was radar spare parts, saying they constituted "serious military equipment."
Russia insisted the cargo broke no international rules.
Turkey has taken an increasingly strident line towards its southern neighbor since a shell fired from the Syrian side of the border killed five of its nationals on October 3.
Turkey has since repeatedly retaliated for cross-border fire, prompting growing UN concern and diplomatic contacts.
After talks with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle on Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated that Ankara would not tolerate any further border incidents.
"We will hit back without hesitation if we believe Turkey's national security is in danger," he said.
Asked if Syrian aircraft were now banned from Turkish air space, a Foreign Ministry official said: "Yes, civilian aircraft. Military aircraft were de facto banned way before."
Syria said on Saturday it would ban Turkish passenger flights from its airspace starting yesterday in a retaliatory move after Turkey confiscated the cargo of what Russia said was radar equipment en route from Moscow to Damascus.
The reprisal, weeks before the annual hajj when thousands of Turkish pilgrims head to the Muslim holy places in Saudi Arabia on a route that would normally take them through Syrian airspace, came despite a flurry of diplomacy on Saturday intended to calm soaring tensions between the neighbors.
Syria accuses Turkey of channeling arms from Gulf Arab states to rebels fighting its troops, who have been under mounting pressure across large swathes of the north, including second city Aleppo.
The flight ban went into force from midnight "in accordance with the principle of reciprocity," SANA state news agency said.
Turkey has warned its airlines to avoid Syrian airspace for fear of retaliation for the interception of the Syrian Air flight by Turkish jets on the allegation it was carrying military equipment.
The United States backed its NATO ally's confiscation of what Russia said was radar spare parts, saying they constituted "serious military equipment."
Russia insisted the cargo broke no international rules.
Turkey has taken an increasingly strident line towards its southern neighbor since a shell fired from the Syrian side of the border killed five of its nationals on October 3.
Turkey has since repeatedly retaliated for cross-border fire, prompting growing UN concern and diplomatic contacts.
After talks with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle on Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated that Ankara would not tolerate any further border incidents.
"We will hit back without hesitation if we believe Turkey's national security is in danger," he said.
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