A Turkish Air Force F-4 war plane fires during a military exercise in Izmir, in this May 26, 2010 file photo. Turkey lost a F-4 warplane, similar to the one pictured, over the Mediterranean on June 22, 2012, but Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said in his first public comments, he could not say whether the plane had crashed or been shot down. REUTERS
A Turkish Air Force F-4 war plane fires during a military exercise in Izmir, in this May 26, 2010 file photo. — Photo  Reuters

ANKARA: Turkey will take steps “with determination”and “within international law” after Syria downed one of its military jets over the eastern Mediterranean, its top security council said Thursday.

The National Security Council, which brings Turkey's top civilian and military officials together, convened almost a week after Syrian air defences shot down the Turkish F-4 Phantom jet.

A written statement released soon after the meeting said that the incident was discussed “in detail,” and added that Turkey would act “with determination by reserving all of its rights born out of international law in the face of this hostile act.”

Earlier in the day, local media reported that Turkey has sent missile batteries, tanks and troops to the border with Syria as a “security corridor.”But there was no official confirmation of the moves.

On Tuesday, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan dubbed its former ally Syria a “clear and imminent threat,” hinting at a harsher retaliation for any future border violations.

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.