Thursday, October 11, 2012

Russian anger at Turkey over Syria plane interception

Moscow accuses Turkey of endangering Russian lives by using its military to force a Syria-bound passenger plane to land in Ankara.
The Syrian Air plane, from Moscow, was intercepted and searched on Wednesday on suspicion it was carrying weapons.

Officials in both Russia and Syria have strongly denied the allegations, with Damascus accusing Turkey of "piracy" and violating international law.

The incident has increased already high tensions between Turkey and Syria.

Shelling from within Syria killed five Turkish civilians last week - in response, Turkey fired into Syria for the first time since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began last year.