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BEIJING, Oct. 6 (Xinhuanet) – The United States and NATO have denounced Russia for violating Turkish airspace during its air campaign in Syria.
Reporting two incursions in two days, Turkey threatened to respond and raised the prospect of direct confrontation. And NATO has held an emergency meeting of ambassadors from its 28 member states in Brussels to respond to this.
The Russian defense ministry says this footage shows some of the Islamic State targets it hit on Monday striking with force. And with psychology. Tens of thousands of leaflets, dropped over Hama Province - reportedly urging civilians to leave and ISIL fighters to surrender.
But neighboring Turkey says, Moscow's operations are already TOO broad ... crossing into Turkish air space, more than once. Ankara says Turkish F-16s had to force back a Russian jet over the weekend.
"What we have received from Russia this morning is that this was a mistake and that they respect Turkey's borders and this will not happen again. Turkey's rules of engagement apply to all planes, be they Syrian, Russian or from elsewhere," said Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish prime minister.
Moscow said bad weather was to blame. But at least one U-S official said: it appeared deliberate. The U.S. Secretary of State - in Madrid - called it provocative.
"We are greatly concerned about it, because it is precisely the kind of thing that, had Turkey responded under its rights it could have resulted in a shootdown, and it is precisely the kind of thing we warned against," said John Kerry, US secretary of state.
In Brussels, NATO ambassadors holding an emergency session on Syria - and Russian involvement - called the intrusion QUOTE "unacceptable."
"I call on Russia to fully respect NATO airspace and to avoid escalating tensions with the alliance. I urge Russia to take the necessary steps to align its efforts with those of the international community in the fight against ISIL," said Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general.
Russia has now said it would be open to contact with the so-called Free Syrian Army.
That's the rebel umbrella group, trying to topple President Bashar al Assad, with some support from Washington. The US says: Moscow is adding fuel to the flames of Syria's civil war.
(Source: CNTV)
