Turkish jets ‘intercept Russian plane’

• 5 October 2015
• From the section Europe

Turkish F-16 fighter jets have been scrambled after a Russian warplane violated Turkey’s air space on Saturday, the foreign ministry says.

The Russian fighter plane “exited Turkish airspace into Syria” after being intercepted, the ministry said.

The Turkish foreign minister has spoken to his Russian counterpart, as well as ministers from other Nato countries.

Russia has been carrying out air strikes in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

The Russian air campaign began on Wednesday with Moscow insisting it was targeting Islamic State (IS) positions. But Syrian activists say Russian planes have also targeted other Syrian groups opposed to President Assad.

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Last week Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the Russian intervention in Syria as a grave mistake that would further isolate Moscow.

Saturday’s interception took place south of the Yayladagi/Hatay region, Turkey says.

The foreign ministry in Ankara summoned the Russian ambassador to issue a “strong protest” against the incident, it said.