Receive free Turkey updates
We’ll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Turkey news every morning.
A US fighter jet has shot down a Turkish drone in north-eastern Syria in what the Pentagon described as a “regrettable incident” that comes at a time of increased tensions between the Nato allies.
According to Pat Ryder, the spokesperson for the Pentagon, the action was taken in “self-defense” by an F-16 jet. However, it was clarified that Turkey was not targeting US forces.
In Syria, around 7.30 am local time, US forces spotted drones conducting strikes within a “declared restricted US operating zone” about 1 km away from them. Hours later, a Turkish drone re-entered the zone and US military commanders considered it a “potential threat.” Subsequently, a fighter jet shot down the drone about 10 minutes later.
The US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, spoke with Turkey’s Defense Minister, Yaşar Güler, about the incident. Austin emphasized that US forces are only in Syria to support the global coalition fighting against ISIS. The two officials pledged to maintain close coordination. Ryder added that Turkey remains a “valuable” partner to Washington.
This drone incident occurred after a suicide bombing targeted Turkey’s interior ministry in Ankara on Sunday, resulting in injuries to two police officers and the death of a civilian. The attack occurred on the same day the country’s parliament reopened from its summer recess. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a separatist group involved in a years-long insurgency in Turkey, claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, Ankara launched air raids on sites in northern Iraq where the PKK is based.
On Wednesday evening, Turkey’s government announced that its investigation found both suicide bombers came from Syria. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that both the PKK and another group called the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) would be targeted in Iraq and Syria. Fidan declared that all infrastructure and energy facilities belonging to the PKK/YPG in both countries are legitimate targets for Turkey’s security forces.
The Turkish Defense Ministry has conducted air raids on 30 targets affiliated with the PKK and YPG in northern Syria. The targets included an oil facility, bunkers, and warehouses.
The PKK has been designated as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and the US. The YPG is viewed as synonymous with the PKK by Ankara. However, the US has supported the YPG through the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in their efforts against ISIS in northern Syria.
The Turkish Defense Ministry did not provide a comment regarding the drone downing on Thursday evening.
The incident occurs at a critical time in the relationship between the West and Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed in July to Sweden’s request to join the NATO military alliance. However, Turkey’s parliament has yet to ratify this request, which was made in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite pressure from Washington and Brussels, approval has not been granted.
Turkey expects Sweden to take additional measures to combat extremist groups within its borders, including the PKK and YPG, before Ankara’s parliament approves its accession. Turkey is also lobbying for the approval of its request to purchase F-16 fighter jets from the US. The Biden administration has expressed its support, but congressional approval is required for the deal to proceed.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
