Turkey: Syrian Plane Was Carrying Ammunition
The Associated Press: Turkey: Syrian Plane Was Carrying Ammunition
A plane intercepted by Turkish fighter jets on its way from Moscow to Damascus was carrying equipment and ammunition destined for the Syrian Defense Ministry, Turkey’s prime minister said Thursday.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments follow a fierce denial by Syria that anything illegal had been aboard the Airbus A320 that was forced by Turkey to land in Ankara late Wednesday. Syria, whose relations with neighboring Turkey have plummeted over the Syrian war, branded it an act of piracy.
Earlier in the day, Turkish officials had rejected claims by Syria’s ally, Russia, that Turkey had endangered the lives of Russian citizens on board the aircraft.
“These were equipment and ammunitions that were being sent from a Russian agency … to the Syrian Defense Ministry,” Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.
“Their examination is continuing and the necessary (action) will follow,” he added.
Yeni Safak, a newspaper close to the Turkish government, reported Thursday there were 10 containers aboard the plane, whose contents included radio receivers, antennas and equipment “thought to be missile parts.”