Ab-Titchaz
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- Jan 30, 2008
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Turkish jet 'downed by Syria in international airspace'
Turkey's foreign minister has said the fighter jet shot down by Syrian air defence forces on Friday was in international airspace when it was hit.
Ahmet Davutoglu said the unarmed plane was not on a secret mission related to Syria, but had mistakenly entered Syrian airspace before the incident.
Syria maintains that it engaged the aircraft in its airspace "according to the laws that govern such situations".
The Turkish and Syrian navies are still searching for the two crew members.
Turkey's government has promised that its response will be strong, decisive and legitimate once it has ascertained all the circumstances surrounding the downing of the jet.
The Turkish military lost radio contact with the F-4 Phantom while it was flying over Hatay province
1. F-4 Phantom takes off from Erhac airbase, Turkey, at approximately 10:28 local time (07:28 GMT), on 22 June
2. Syria says the jet enters its airspace at 11:40 (08:40 GMT)
3. Turkish military loses contact with the plane at 11:58 (08:58 GMT), while it is over Hatay province
4. Syria says its air defences engaged aircraft about 1km (0.6 miles) from the coast and that it crashed into the sea 10km (6 miles) west of Om al-Tuyour.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18568412