Turkey intercepts Russian fighter jet violating its airspace

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/turkey-intercepts-russian-fighter-jet-violating-its-airspace/a-18761173

Turkey has said that a Russian jet violated its airspace near the Syrian border over the weekend. Ankara scrambled fighters of its own and has since summoned Moscow's ambassador.

Turkey intercepts Russian fighter jet violating its airspace
05.10.2015

"The Russian aircraft exited Turkish airspace into Syria after it was intercepted by two F-16s from the Turkish Air Force, which were conducting patrols in the region," Turkey's foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday. The Russian jet was said to have infringed Turkish airspace on Saturday at 12:08 pm (0908 GMT) in Turkey's southern Hatay province.

Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu also spoke with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and with other NATO countries to convey his country's unease regarding the incident.

Ankara's foreign ministry officials also summoned Moscow's ambassador to register a "strong protest," according to officials.

Ankara urged Moscow not to repeat the violation, failing which it would be held "responsible for any undesired incident that may occur," the official statement said.

[GreatGazoo]

1. Turkey has been supporting ISIS for the last year or more

It should be clear now that Turkey and the Saudis have been supporting ISIS in an effort to destabilize and overthrow Assad.

Turkey supports ISIS through agreements to buy oil from them:

questions have been raised concerning Turkey-IS oil deals, especially after reports of a U.S. raid on a central headquarter of the radical group in eastern Syria that uncovered confidential agreements on oil shipments from IS-held areas to Turkey.
...
“The oil trade between the jihadis and the Turks was held up as evidence of an alliance between the two,” The Guardian reported on Monday.

In the wake of the raid that killed Abu Sayyaf, suspicions of an undeclared alliance have hardened.

A senior western official familiar with the operation that led to the death of the Tunisian militant Abu Sayyaf and the uncovered oil deals between IS and Turkey, said that direct dealings between Turkish officials and high ranking IS members was now “undeniable”.

http://aranews.net/2015/07/turkey-isis-alliance-uncovered/

[bemildred]

2. Moscow says violation of Turkish air space a “mistake”

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Ankara summoned Russia’s ambassador to protest over the violation of its air space in two separate incidents. The response – it was a “mistake” that would not happen again.

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Moscow confirmed it continued “performing pinpoint strikes” on ISIL targets and in 25 sorties hit nine militant group targets including a communications centre in Homs.

Iraq’s most powerful Shi’ite militias have called on Moscow to attack ISIL in their country.

“I have heard the statement from the Iraqi prime minister about his interest in getting the help of the Russian air force to fight terrorist positions in Iraqi territory. He said it after the first days of our operation in Syria proved successful.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters.

http://www.euronews.com/2015/10/05/moscow-says-violation-of-turkish-air-space-a-mistake/

[bemildred]

3. Russian Warships Could Strike Inside Syria

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The speculation about Russian naval attacks comes amid reports that Russia is delivering ever more sophisticated weapons platforms to Syria.

On Monday, news website Lenta.ru reported that the military had delivered advanced Krasukha-4 electronic warfare systems. These units are used to jam enemy airborne radars, weapons guidance, communications, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

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The Krasukha system is relatively new, first entering service in 2012, and can blanket a 150-300 kilometer area with its electronic noise. It is not clear why this capability would be needed against the Islamic State and various anti-Assad rebel groups, which do not fly aircraft or UAVs.

It would, however, allow Russia to monitor and if necessary menace warplanes flown by the United States, Britain or France, all of which are flying over Syria, and help to deny these countries any chance of controlling Syrian airspace.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-warships-could-strike-inside-syria/537064.html

[bemildred]

4. US-led offensive targets ISIS 'capital'

WASHINGTON • The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has begun preparing to open a major front in north-eastern Syria, aiming to put pressure on Raqqa, the terrorist group's de facto capital, according to military and administration officials.

United States President Barack Obama last week approved two important steps to set the offensive in motion over the coming weeks, officials said. He ordered the Pentagon, for the first time, to directly provide ammunition and perhaps some weapons to Syrian opposition forces on the ground.

He also endorsed the idea for an increased air campaign from an air base in Turkey, although important details still need to be worked out.

Together, these measures are intended to empower 3,000 to 5,000 Arab fighters who would join more than 20,000 Kurdish combatants in an offensive backed by dozens of coalition warplanes to pressure Raqqa.

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/us-led-offensive-targets-isis-capital