A Turkish Air Force F16 jet fighter prepares to take off from an air base during the Anatolian Eagle military exercise in the central Anatolian city of Konya April 28, 2010. UMIT BEKTAS/Reuters
Hurriyet Daily News: Turkey suspends Syria flights after crisis with Russia
The Turkish army has suspended flights over Syria as part of an ongoing joint military campaign with the United States against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) after it shot down a Russian jetfighter, sparking an unprecedented crisis between Ankara and Moscow.
The decision was taken following the eruption of the crisis with Russia in which a Turkish F-16 downed a Russian warplane early Nov. 24 after it allegedly violated Turkish airspace, according to diplomatic sources.
Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, stressed that the suspension of the Turkish jetfighters’ participation in the U.S.-led military operations against ISIL was in fact a mutual decision taken with Russia, which also halted its aerial campaigns near the Turkish border. Both parties will continue to be as careful as possible in a bid to avoid a repetition of such incidents until they re-establish dialogue channels to reduce the tension.
Update: The Turkish Air Force suspends flights over Syria amid crisis with Russia over Su-24 downing (The Aviationist)
WNU Editor: This is a wise move. In the past two days Russian military jets have been bombing every possible Turkish target in Syria, and I am sure that the Russian military is itching to shoot down a Turkish fighter and/or fighters. I am also sure that the U.S. and NATO are now telling Turkey to back-down .... which if the above report is true tells me that they have succeeded.
Update #2: I am not a fan of this website, but they are probably right on this one .... Turkey suspends flights over Syria, Russia launches electronic warfare against Ankara (Debka).
Hat Tip Jay for this link.
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