Turkey says Syria’s actions are a threat to security

Turkey warns security threat after Syria shoots down F4-Phantom plane and for Nato to meet in an emergency session.

A Turkish F4-Phantom plane was shot down on Friday
A Turkish F4-Phantom plane was shot down on Friday

The incident was described by Turkey as a hostile act committed by the Syrian authorities against the country’s national security in a letter to the UN Security Council.

The act will not be without consequence according to Turkey’s deputy prime minister who also stressed military action was not being sought.

The F-4 Phantom jet was shot down inside Syrian airspace according to Damascus but in the letter to the Security Council, Ankara said it was a “serious threat” to peace and security.

No action was requested by Turkey but Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to reveal actions to be taken during parliament on Tuesday.

Any member state is entitled to request consultations with the alliance’s ambassadors in Brussels after invoking Article 4 of Nato’s founding treaty if the country’s security is believed to be threatened.