Turkey scrambles fighter jets after spotting Syrian helicopters near border

Turkey rushed six F-16 fighter jets to its border with Syria Tuesday after Syrian transport helicopters were seen flying in the area.

The helicopters did not enter Turkish airspace, Turkey’s armed forces told Reuters. But officials said Syria has tried the same aerial maneuvers for three consecutive days.

Tensions between Turkey and Syria started rising on June 22, when Syria shot down a Turkish jet. Syria claims it fired at the jet in self-defense inside its airspace, but Turkey said it was downed over international waters after accidentally flying into Syria, Reuters reports.

At a NATO meeting in Brussels in late June, the organization condemned Syria’s actions, but did not announce a military response.

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