Turkish warplanes shot down a drone flying in air space near Syria on Friday and there were questions on whether the remote-controlled aircraft was operated by the U.S. or Russia.
Turkish military officials said the aircraft was warned three times about flying in its airspace before warplanes shot it down, reported
The Guardian.
"It's a drone," said a senior Turkish government official. "We are trying to identify its nationality."
Charles Lister, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Doha Center, posted a Twitter message saying the drone appeared to be Russian.
A U.S. official also said it was believed that the drone was Russian, but the Russian defense ministry disputed the claim.
"All the airplanes of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have returned . . . after accomplishing their combat tasks," said Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, a Russian military spokesman, according to the
Washington Post.
A Syrian military officer said on pro-Syrian al-Mayadeen TV that no Syrian or Russian warplanes or drones were shot down over Turkey.
Turkey, a NATO ally and a supporter of a Syrian opposition rebels, charged that aircraft from Russia have crossed into its airspace on at least two occasions since coming to the country to support the Syrian government.
Al Jazeera said the United States, Russia and Syria are all operating drones in the region.
In the past, the Turkish military has shot down a Syrian military jet, a helicopter and an unmanned surveillance drone that have crossed into the country's air space.
Related Stories:
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.