Turkey intercepts Syrian passenger plane carrying weaponry

A Syrian passenger jet carrying ammunition and other items destined for the Syrian Defence Ministry from Moscow was forced to land in Turkey on a scheduled flight to Turkey.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Syrian Arab Airlines craft carrying a reported 37 passengers and crew members on board, was also carrying ‘unsuitable’ material to Damascus.

This prompted Turkish F-16 fighter jets to force-land the passenger jet on Wednesday at Ankara’s Esenboga International Airport.

 Syria’s powerful ally Russia has been angered by Turkey’s actions against Syria which involved force landing the intercepted aircraft for several hours before allowing it to resume its flight to Damascus.

Some cargo was removed by Turkish authorities for further inspection which Erdogan said was to intercept any ammunitions or weapons illegally carried on passenger planes, not permitted through Turkish airspace.

Worsening already strained relations between Turkey and its neighbour, Syria denied that any weapons were on board the aircraft and accused Turkish authorities of assaulting Syrian crew once the jet landed in Ankara.

Denouncing the “hostile” behaviour of the Turkish government in a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry also demanded that the seized cargo be returned.

Outrage was also expressed by a Russian official who felt Turkey’s actions may have placed the lives of Russian citizens and others on board the jet at risk.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said that they were mostly concerned for the life and security of the passengers aboard who were also not permitted to be seen by consular officials and physicians.

Turkish officials denied these allegations saying medical help was available to all on board the plan and none of the persons were maltreated in any way.