An unidentified aircraft has reportedly been shot down by Turkish warplanes upon intruding into Turkish airspace next to the border with Syria.
Officials have been quoted stating the aircraft was a drone, but further details are yet to follow. Drones are extensively used by Syria, the coalition against the Islamic State (spearheaded by the US) and Russia.
Images of the drone that have been made public appear to contain a small non-military model plane, according to Turkish media. The aircraft was shot down after three warnings had been issued, which means the downing had happened according to the โrules of engagementโ.
The origin of the drone remains unclear. Turkish officials have accused Russia of violating Turkeyโs air space in the past weeks, which could have happened as a result of Russiaโs involvement in the fight against Syrian rebel group. A US official had also been quoted by Reuters saying that he suspects it had been a Russian drone, but declined expanding.
Russia declines any involvement in the incident, claiming that all operations in Syria have been running uninterrupted, and all planes in Syria have returned to base safe. The intrusions were also condemned by NATO.