ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey is warning that Syrian military units approaching its border will be treated as a direct threat.
The statement from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (REH'-jehp TY'-ihp UR'-doh-wahn) represents a serious escalation in tensions between the two countries and follows Syria's downing of a Turkish military plane last Friday.
Syria insists the Turkish jet violated its air space, but Turkey says it unintentionally strayed into Syria's air space and was inside international airspace when it was shot down. Two pilots are still missing.
Turkey says Syrian forces also fired on a search-and-rescue plane, and the prime minister claims Syrian helicopters have violated Turkish airspace five times recently without a Turkish response.
In a televised speech, the Turkish prime minister said the rules of engagement for Turkey's armed forces have changed and "any military element that approaches the Turkish border from Syria" will be treated as a military target. He adds, "no one should be deceived" by what he describes as Turkey's "cool-headed stance."
Turkey's NATO allies are expressing solidarity. Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (AHN'-derz fohg RAHS'-moo-sihn) condemned the Syrian attack but did not speak of any possible armed action against Syria.
%@AP Links
146-a-07-(NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (AHN'-durz FOHG RAHS'-moo-sihn), at news conference)-"the strongest terms"-NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the alliance stongly disapproves of Syria's downing of a Turkish jet last week. (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *146 (06/26/12)>> 00:07 "the strongest terms"
147-a-14-(NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (AHN'-durz FOHG RAHS'-moo-sihn), at news conference)-"and human life"-NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the downing of a Turkish jet reflects Syria's aggressive stance towards its citizens and neighbors. (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *147 (06/26/12)>> 00:14 "and human life"
148-a-11-(NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (AHN'-durz FOHG RAHS'-moo-sihn), at news conference)-"of strong solidarity"-NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the alliance is fully behind Turkey. (26 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *148 (06/26/12)>> 00:11 "of strong solidarity"
