Türkiye closes airspace to Syrian civilian aircraft

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced on October 14 that Ankara had closed its airspace to Syrian civilian flights.

According to Mr. Davutoglu, the above decision was made because the Damascus government "took advantage" of civilian flights to transport military equipment.


Turkish Army (Photo: AFP/VNA)

He added that the Syrian government was informed of the decision on October 13.

Last week, Türkiye forced a Syrian passenger plane tolandingto inspect and confiscate some of the cargo on the plane that Ankara said was military equipment.

Syria on October 13 alsoProhibitionTurkish flights over its territory, but Mr. Davutoglu asserted: "Syria's statement has no value for us."

In a related development, the Anatolia news agency reported on October 13 that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Davutoglu held separate discussions with Arab League Secretary General Nabil El-Arabi on the Syrian crisis as well as the latest developments in the border area between Türkiye and Syria, where five Turks were killed on October 3 by shelling from Syria.

Foreign Minister Davutoglu declared that Ankara would "not hesitate to respond if its border with Syria is violated again"./.

According to (TTXVN/Vietnam+) - DT