Turkish Air Force shoots down not helicopter but Syrian drone - defense ministry

The Turkish Air Force shot down not a Syrian helicopter on May 16, but the Mohajer-4 drone made in Iran, Minister of National Defense of Turkey Ismet Yilmaz said, the Turkish newspaper Milliyet reported May 18.

The minister said that the Turkish Air Force is ready to stop any attack from the air by Syria.

It was reported on May 16 that the Turkish Air Force shot down a Syrian helicopter that violated the country's airspace.

This is the third time since 2013 to the present day, when Turkish Air Force shot down a Syrian drone, which violated the airspace of the country.

In June 2012, Syrian forces shot down a Turkish fighter jet after it violated Syrian airspace, although Syrian forces issued it with no warning and the aircraft had already left Syrian airspace when it was targeted with missiles.

The incident prompted Ankara to announce that it was changing rules of engagement and would consider any approaching Syrian aircraft as a security threat and shoot them down.

/By Trend/