Russia has been carrying out strikes over Syria since late September and Turkey has warned it would act if the country’s jets continued to enter its air space (AFP Photo/Sergey Venyavsky)
NATO is in “close contact” with Ankara and watching developments after key alliance member Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet on the Syrian border, an official said Tuesday.
“NATO is monitoring the situation closely. We are in contact with Turkish authorities,” the official told AFP in an email.
He gave no further details and made no comment when asked whether Turkey would seek an emergency NATO meeting, as it did in early October after Russian planes violated its airspace several times.
On that occasion, NATO condemned the Russian incursions and warned of “the extreme danger of such irresponsible behaviour”.
All 28 NATO members pledge a one-for-all, all-for-one response to any military threat if a member invokes what is known as Article Five when it comes under attack.
The only time this has been invoked was by the United States after the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.
Ankara said two of its F16 fighters shot down a Russian Su-24 after it violated Turkish airspace 10 times within a five-minute period along the Syrian border. AFP
