US says Turkish gov't "transparent" on rules of engagement for downing Syria helicopter.

State Department spokesperson says the US is committed to "friend" and "NATO ally" Turkey's territorial integrity...

 

WASHINGTON (AA) - Turkey has been "fully transparent" about the rules of engagement that led to Turkish fighter jets shooting down an airborne intruder on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said.

 

Psaki said during a daily briefing on Tuesday that the US was in close contact with Turkish officials after a Syrian army helicopter was downed for violating Turkish airspace.
"We note that the Turkish government has been fully transparent about the rules of engagement it is operating under since the Syrian government shot down a Turkish aircraft last year," Psaki said.

"Turkey is a friend and NATO ally, and we are committed to Turkey's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Turkish Deputy Premier Bulent Arinc announced on Monday that two fighter jets scrambled from the eastern province of Malatya shot down a Syrian army helicopter at 14:25 local time after it entered 2 km deep into Turkish territory in the south and ignored repeated warnings to leave.

• Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkish security forces "did what was necessary" after the helicopter ignored warnings.

 http://www.aa.com.tr/en/headline/229277--us-says-turkish-govt-quot-transparent-quot-on-rules-of-engagement-for-downing-syria-copter
17/9/13
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