ANKARA
The Spokesperson for the Turkish government and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said that Turkey reserved the right for retaliation and all rights stemming from international laws after one of its military jets was shot down by Syria on Friday.
Speaking in a press conference following a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday, Arinc said that the Turkish military jet was downed in international air space.
There is no doubt that the Syrians deliberately downed our military jet in international air space, Arinc stressed.
Syria downed our military jet while it was travelling in international air space alone and with no weapons. We will do what we have to do in reaction to such an act of Syria. International laws are with Turkey. Turkey will not hesitate to take steps within legitimate boundaries, Arinc stressed.
On the two missing pilots, Arinc said that reports that suggest that the Turkish pilots were in the hands of Syria or any other third country were not correct.
We wish that they were being held by Syria or a third country. This way, we could have learned that they were alive and we would have reached them, Arinc underlined.
Turkey has made the necessary contact with NATO within articles 4 regarding the downing of our military jet. Everyone should know that we will make use of all applicable international laws. This includes self-defense. This includes retaliation in kind. This includes possible sanctions. Turkey will do fully what it has to do, Arinc indicated.
At this time, we have no intention to bring a motion to the Turkish parliament for a cross-border operation (into Syria). We do not need such a motion. If the need comes up for a cross-border operation, we will ask our parliament for authorization, Arinc noted.
Touting for a war is not the right act. We will do everything possible within laws. We have no intention to fight against anyone. We do not want a war, Arinc also said.
Syrian forces fired upon Casa plane
Arinc stressed that Major General Ates Mehmet Irez of the Turkish Air Force and his colleagues briefed the Turkish Cabinet on Monday and provided technical details on a map and related developments since Friday, June 22.
Major General Irez answered all questions of our Cabinet, Arinc indicated.
Following the downing of our military jet, four helicopters and three ships were dispatched to the region for search and rescue operation. Later on, a Casa plane and other aid teams were dispatched to the region as well. Unfortunately, Syrian forces fired upon our Casa plane from the ground. As soon as the Syrian fire was heard, our Foreign Ministry and General Staff got in touch with Syrian officials and the harassment fire ended immediately, Arinc also said.
