world

Turkey intercepts Syrian plane as tensions mount

32 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

32 Comments
Login to comment

Madverts Respecting the rules of foreign air space applies even to the Russian bear you know.

One more time - should Russia also put down and check foreign planes which crossing Russia air space? Using interceptors and pointig smoking guns on Turkish citizens ? Why not ?

Everyone else is fully aware of the Russians war-profiteering.

At the moment Bashar has spend all his money (Syria never was super -rich country) So - this is ally support no more no less Russia give money, weapons and other things to Syria.

I'm willing to wait and see what the Ruskies were really peddling on that flight to the Syrian dictator for potential use on his own people.

One more time - imagine, how civil aviation will operate if every country will intercept and check? Imagine - you travel from Japan to EU ... all goes well than Russian fighters coming.... And not forget about China !! they also have jets.

The cargo removed would certainly appear to be more substantial than Comical Ali's earlier claims of a fancy telephone. I presume that is why he broke off his report so abruptly...

property of a foreign government

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Presto: Trust the Russians to continue selling their merchandise to dictators who kill civilians.

How convinient... The West never sold weapon to dictators... We are so clean...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why exactly do we expect Russia to act differently than it has on Syria? Can we not see that Syria is a ally of Russia for over 40 years? For decades a strong ruler has governed both countries, effectively denying citizens a say so in their government. If Russia helps fix this in Syria, it might have to fix it next at home. Why would Putin want to do that at when Syria has become a diversion at home where he needs to play up Russia's strength in the world? Better to stick with the old script and keep on raiding the offices of political opponents or drumming up bogus charges against businessmen. Forget Russia then. When the ground begins to shake below your feet, you stick with your friends.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"US&EU decision is not obligatory to Russia"

Respecting the rules of foreign air space applies even to the Russian bear you know. Everyone else is fully aware of the Russians war-profiteering.

I'm willing to wait and see what the Ruskies were really peddling on that flight to the Syrian dictator for potential use on his own people...

The cargo removed would certainly appear to be more substantial than Comical Ali's earlier claims of a fancy telephone. I presume that is why he broke off his report so abruptly....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Madverts I realize the Russian mafia have some serious clout, but

This is (Sparta)

Russian government.

One more time - Russia officilally promice to support Syria....

The Russian anger comes from being caught red-faced

Russia never conceal its support to Assad

US&EU decision is not obligatory to Russia

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Olegek, calm down. Japan has nothing to do with the matter. There is only one Japanese in the whole this discussion and his comment is neutral.

Thank you so much

Some Russian (or so) arms dealer tried to smuggle something to Syria. Russian officials did know nothing about it.

I feel sorry to disappoint you - but this is not possible - in such political situation all cargoes to Syria will be strictly checked by Russian officials ....

So may be all cargo on this plane legal or may be this is delivery from Russian gov.

American intelligence learned about it

Russia officially support Assad and officially supply arms to him

Smuggling is absolutely out of question

0 ( +1 / -1 )

That's actually quite a credible piece of speculation there Konsta.

I realize the Russian mafia have some serious clout, but in this day and age when I can't board a jet with a nail file, and judging how corrupt Putin is, I think it's fair to say the government may well have been aware of it.

The Russian anger comes from being caught red-faced and red-handed if you ask me.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Olegek, calm down. Japan has nothing to do with the matter. There is only one Japanese in the whole this discussion and his comment is neutral.

The matter is such:

Some Russian (or so) arms dealer tried to smuggle something to Syria. Russian officials did know nothing about it. American intelligence learned about it and instead of warning the Russians decided to set em up for a scandal and worsening relationships with Turkey. Turkey was notified, but Russians were not. Russians got surprised and angry. Now they need to work out the situation with Turkey. Politics.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And I'm in the EU so I know what I'm talking about!!

:)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Turkish jets on Wednesday forced a Syrian passenger plane to land at Ankara airport

It is not hijacking ?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Nah, it started after Assad started using fellow Iranian brutality and fear tactics by sending out people in civilian clothing to beat savagely protesters, going as far to disperse people holding a candlelight vigil Egyptian demonstrators killed by their own uprising against a dictator. Human Rights Watch reported that last bit, so I know Never Submit has got my back on that source.

As the trend of protest continued, the much feared security forces started rounding protesters up, incarcerating and torturing them, citing harsh emergency laws that were protested even within the government, although swiftly quelled.

I think it all went understandably downhill from that point on....

0 ( +1 / -1 )

presto345OCT. the delivery of not legitimate elements is not officially by Russian authorities but by private businessmen who do or did not expect Turkey to know or to act on their intelligence. Nothing fishy about the affair. Turkey won't allow their air space to be used for carrying anything that will support the Assad regime.

A lot of civile planes use Russian air space ... including JAL ... Should we check ?? Why not ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

MadvertsOct. 12, 2012 - 01:49AM JST Who in their right minds would want to join the EU right now??

:)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

presto What is Moscow going to have to say about it? They are not very pleased about it.

So If Russian or Chinese fighters will intercept Japanese liner ??

Why not ??

will the official Tokyo happy ??

It seems there was cargo on board consisting of military spare parts sent by a Russian businessman.

What 'bout JAL cargoes ?? Should we check ??

Trust the Russians to continue selling their merchandise to dictators who kill civilians. Their protests sound loud but the Turks are not easily intimidated.

Who suply ammo to Al Quaeda ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

" when he realized that Turkey will never become a member of EU"

Who in their right minds would want to join the EU right now??

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

MadvertsOct. 12, 2012 - 01:41AM JST The lying Western media justify their portrayal of Assad becoming a monster overnight on trivia such bombarding his own towns and cities to rubble after the initial, peaceful protests ...

Did he start bombarding straight away after the first initial peaceful protests? Sorry, I was unaware...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

DeploreOct. 12, 2012 - 12:55AM JST Right. Clearly, Erdogan is just a puppet of the West... which is why he got rid of all the old guard Generals in the Turkey military who were strongly pro-West? Stop creating a conspiracy for everything that happens.

Erdogan's recent turn to Islamism is very worrying. It might have happened, when he realized that Turkey will never become a member of EU. Now, he is showing his real face, making what ubikwit said about NATO twice as valid. I do not understand why people get negative points for absolutely sane thoughts.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"Assad became a dictator overnight grace au stupid western mass media"

Absolument!

The lying Western media justify their portrayal of Assad becoming a monster overnight on trivia such bombarding his own towns and cities to rubble after the initial, peaceful protests that he step down and cede the family dictatorship for free elections.....

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Assad is a better choice than the Islamist militants he is fighting. The alternative is modern Irak, modern Afghanistan or modern Libya. Choose whichever you like among support of Iran, Taliban killing 14 year girls or dead American ambassadors. Aside of Israel, Syria is the only country in the region, which still stands in the way of Sharia and Muslim fundamentalism.

ubikwit is right. Assad became a dictator overnight grace au stupid western mass media. It is pity that the people repeat this like parrots without even looking at the situation.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"It is also plainly obvious from your use of the term "dictator" to characterize Assad"

Agreed, I hate it when they do that. They do the same to the chubby little cherub President in the peoples democratic hunger republik of North Korea all the time. Maybe al-Assad could shake off the needless dictator badge with a more Nork style, "Hi, I'm dear Dear Leader Bashir, who is your perfect Syrian incarnation of the appearance that a leader should have".....?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Turkey is being forced by their NATO masters to spark a war with Syria. They're using every dirty trick in the book.

Right. Clearly, Erdogan is just a puppet of the West... which is why he got rid of all the old guard Generals in the Turkey military who were strongly pro-West?

Stop creating a conspiracy for everything that happens.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Turkey is intent on the integrity of its borders and has no sympathy for a murderous dictator and his supporters next door. Questioning Turkey's place in NATO? You can't be serious.

But I am. The commander of NATO has emphasized that he does not want to see the border clashes escalate, but it looks to me that Turkey is intent on achieving just that. One motivating factor of that is the fact that they have the right to invoke the NATO charter to draw NATO into the conflict for their own narrow aims. In that regard, you have a small country that has been arming and hosting rebels from a country on their border that is threatening to drag NATO into the conflict by escalating border clashes into a broader conflict.

It's a scenario that has similarities to the US and UK invading Iraq without receiving the approval of the UN.

It is also plainly obvious from your use of the term "dictator" to characterize Assad.

Before the Arab spring and this conflict broke out, Assad had been heralded as a figure who represented moderation.

Name calling does nothing but bring emotion into pay in trying to understand a complicated scenario embedded in a complicated history.

I don't necessarily approve of the use of force to suppress protests, but Syria is not an ethnically or religiously homogeneous society, and the region has a history a sectarian strife as well as secular vs theocratic governments.

Assad is a Baathist, which makes him a part of the secularist movement in the Middle East. Erdogan has an Islamist background, though he has tried to distance himself from that somewhat, implementing democratic reforms, etc.

they used to vacation together from what I understand. It's too bad that they couldn't find a way to prevent this civil war from happening.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Hey, it's good to see you return some fresh artistic flair rather than the rather stale conspiracy reports you've been feeding us recently! A+

"So a Russian civil servant on the flight has a cell phone and the Turkish regime illegally seizes it and calls it military communications equipment."

Obviously you were on the plane to advance such theory as fact, as per your usual standards of reporting. In fact, I'm sure a satellite phone is a regular jet scrambling occurrence these days, these people should heed the pre-flight safety warnings on lo-cost air flights, I know I don't.

To be honest, I'm surprised you didn't push the boat out, with a "this is an act of war" angle, although I realize the old enemy credibility may rear its' ugly head, partly due to Assad shelling his own cities and the Turks - or even you Russians fuelling and arming the civil war might crop up become annoying interference.

"They try to use obfuscation to make it seem like the plane was loaded with some scary weapons when in fact they can't produce any concrete evidence at all"

Well, since Assad's dictatorship and you Russians aren't actually denying anything about the incident - or proclaiming any sort of innocence, whatsoever - I think it's fair to say there's a fair chance the cargo was offensive and wasn't supposed to be in Turkish airspace undeclared, and the pithy amount of people on-board compared to the jet's capacity denote the likelihood of all kinds of subvert activity.....

Heh, unless your going to suggest they were tourists.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Shouldn't the headline read:

Turkey intercepts plane SO tensions mount

Turkey is being forced by their NATO masters to spark a war with Syria. They're using every dirty trick in the book.

Notice how we can't get any firm details about exactly what was on that plane, just some murky legal terms.

So a Russian civil servant on the flight has a cell phone and the Turkish regime illegally seizes it and calls it military communications equipment.

They try to use obfuscation to make it seem like the plane was loaded with some scary weapons when in fact they can't produce any concrete evidence at all. Just another provocation by the friendly war mongers at NATO.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

And why, while having a naval base in Syria, Russia does need to use passenger planes for the delivery of not legitimate elements? I hope Turkey will not regret about this fishy affair in the future.

the delivery of not legitimate elements is not officially by Russian authorities but by private businessmen who do or did not expect Turkey to know or to act on their intelligence. Nothing fishy about the affair. Turkey won't allow their air space to be used for carrying anything that will support the Assad regime.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What is Moscow going to have to say about it?

They are not very pleased about it. It seems there was cargo on board consisting of military spare parts sent by a Russian businessman. Trust the Russians to continue selling their merchandise to dictators who kill civilians. Their protests sound loud but the Turks are not easily intimidated.

Though Assad probably will end up stepping down at some point, assuming that there eventually will be some sort of political solution, there is a chance that this could devolve into a wider calamity due to these instigations by Turkey. Perhaps it was a mistake to grant Turkey entrance into NATO.

Instigation by Turkey? Wow, I can see which side of the fence you are on. Turkey is intent on the integrity of its borders and has no sympathy for a murderous dictator and his supporters next door. Questioning Turkey's place in NATO? You can't be serious.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

"There are elements ... that are not legitimate in civilian flights," the state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Davutoglu as saying. He did not provide details but said authorities continued to examine the cargo.

So, what was on the plane, which "not legitimate elements"? And why, while having a naval base in Syria, Russia does need to use passenger planes for the delivery of not legitimate elements? I hope Turkey will not regret about this fishy affair in the future.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My guess the USA warned Turkey that that Syrian civilian plane may have been bringing in guns, ammo etc..from?? Yes! Moscow, Russia! So is Russia a country of peace??

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"see the number of wars started by the US and the continued fighting and killing that is ongoing with US involvement..." Which wars would that be, ghost? Some wars that don't involve Muslims, on one or both sides? Try again. In every shooting war on the planet, Muslims are on one side, and most...both sides. If Islam were a religion of peace there would be peace in Muslim countries. yet, strangely, NONE are at peace.

As for Turkey intercepting a jet plane...a waste of a good turkey, with Thanksgiving coming and all...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Just imagine intercepting this plane with Ospreys!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Perhaps this was a bit of an over reach by the Turkish administration.

What is Moscow going to have to say about it?

What does the administration hope to gain? Obviously their plan to overthrow Assad has failed, and they are not happy about the prospect of absorbing the 100's of thousands of refugees that they helped to displace, nor are they happy about the Kurdish momentum toward and independent state that would incorporate territory now part of Turkey...

Though Assad probably will end up stepping down at some point, assuming that there eventually will be some sort of political solution, there is a chance that this could devolve into a wider calamity due to these instigations by Turkey.

Perhaps it was a mistake to grant Turkey entrance into NATO.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Islams message ispeace`. Muslims are always a peaceful according to major Islamic scholars.They have evidence to prove that Islam is the best ( some say the only one) religion compared to other religion in terms of peaceful living. Then how come Muslims are fighting each other?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites