Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has told parliament that the military rules of engagement with Syria have changed and it will view Syrian troops approaching the border as a threat, after a Turkish plane was downed after mistakenly crossing Syrian airspace.
Mr Erdogan described Syria as a “clear and present” threat.
“A short-term border violation can never be a pretext for an attack,"
"Every military element approaching Turkey from the Syrian border and representing a security risk and danger will be assessed as a military threat and will be treated as a military target,"
Nato has condemned the attack on its member state and said the shooting down was “unacceptable” and it will stand by Turkey "in the spirit of strong solidarity".
Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said:
"It is another example of the Syrian authorities' disregard for international norms. Nato allies will remain seized of developments."
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