Turkish military shoots down unidentified aircraft near Turkish-Syrian border

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/turkish-military-shoots-down-unidentified-aircraft-near-turkish-syrian-border/a-18786789

The Turkish military claims its jets have shot down an "aircraft of an unknown nation" near the country's border with Syria. It remained unclear whether the object was a drone or manned.

Turkish military shoots down unidentified aircraft near Turkish-Syrian border
16.10.2015

The Turkish military said on Friday that its warplanes shot down an aircraft near the Syrian border. Turkish television said the aircraft had been hit 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) inside the Turkish border.

The military said the aircraft had been "downed by fire from our aircraft on patrol, according to the rules of engagement." Officials said three warnings had been given, but that the object had not deviated from its path.

It remained unclear whether the aircraft was a drone or manned. However, CNN Turk quoted army sources as saying that the aircraft was a drone. It also said the aircraft was shot down in the Turkish area of Kilis, some 90 kilometers north of Aleppo.

Television pictures showed military personnel examining the crash site. The location was not specified. Two Russian jets violated Turkish air space earlier this month, and Ankara has warned it would respond if the violations continued. Turkey also claims unidentified aircraft and Syria-based missile systems have been harassing its warplanes.

[bemildred]

1. 10 people taken into custody over Ankara bombings

Ten more people have been taken into custody in connection with the Oct. 10 Ankara Massacre, Turkey’s prime minister has said, reiterating that initial evidence suggested two terror organizations were behind the attack, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“Ten more detentions occurred [Oct. 14 and 15] by tracing [these two organizations]. Investigations continue in a serious spirit and have been deepened after these 10 detentions. Our efforts will continue until the behind-the-scenes actors are revealed,” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said in an interview with TGRT TV on Oct. 15.

Davutoğlu wanted the public to feel assured that whoever was responsible for the attack would be identified and made public. “Likewise, whoever tries to create a chaos, an environment open to provocations will also be taken before the court,” he said.

The Turkish prime minister openly said the prime suspect of the Ankara massacre was ISIL and that the links of the second suicide bomber signaled the involvement of the outlawed PKK in the deadly attack.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/10-people-taken-into-custody-over-ankara-bombings.aspx?pageID=238&nID=89933&NewsCatID=509

[bemildred]

2. US, Turkey to step up cooperation in fight against IS

Turkey and the United States agreed to step up their campaign in fight against the Islamic State (IS), Daily News in Turkey reported on Friday.

In the wake of Saturday's twin blasts in Ankara that killed 99 people, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama Obama discussed on the phone ways to strengthen cooperation in fight against the IS and what could be done regarding Russia's military activities in Syria, according to the report.

The Russian air force began its air campaign in Syria on Sept. 30 following a request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Kremlin said the air raids have significantly diminished the combat capabilities of the IS.

Both presidents agreed on the necessity to immediately halt the attacks staged by the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkey, especially in southeastern and eastern Turkey, said the report.

http://www.china.org.cn/world/2015-10/16/content_36827064.htm

[bemildred]

3. Turkey's Erdogan and Obama Discuss Cooperation on Syria

ISTANBUL—

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed on the phone strengthening cooperation against Islamic State militants and what could be done about Russian military activities in Syria, Erdogan's office said on Friday.

"The two leaders confirmed their shared goal of increasing military pressure on Daesh [Islamic State] and strengthening the moderate opposition to create the necessary conditions for a political transition in Syria," the statement said.

In the telephone call overnight, Obama also conveyed condolences after last Saturday's twin suicide bombings in Ankara and said the United States was in solidarity with Turkey against the threats it faces.

The statement said the two leaders agreed on the need for Kurdistan Workers Party militant attacks in Turkey to end quickly.

http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey-erdogan-and-obama-discuss-cooperation-on-syria/3009873.html

[bemildred]

4. Turkish Newspapers Ignore Ban on Coverage of Attack Probe

ISTANBUL—Turkish newspapers defied a ban on coverage of the investigation into the country’s deadliest terrorist attack, as critics accused the government of censorship ahead of critical elections.

A Turkish court this week broadly banned reports about the probe into twin Oct. 10 bombings that killed at least 100 people, a ruling officials say is necessary to avoid damaging the investigation.

The Ankara Bar Association has appealed the ban. Opposition and mainstream news outlets published details about the weekend attack and alleged negligence by the state for failing to stop it, a charge the government denies.

“Why should we implement an order that has no legal basis?,” Cumhuriyet, one of Turkey’s oldest dailies, asked on Thursday. “For us, the coverage blackout doesn’t exist.”

http://www.wsj.com/articles/turkish-newspapers-ignore-ban-on-coverage-of-attack-probe-1445016720

[bemildred]

5. How Merkel and Europe came to embrace Erdogan

At the outbreak of the refugee crisis, Europe’s leaders insisted the region’s response be guided by the principles of solidarity and humanity. With no end to the refugee march in sight, those lofty aspirations are fading as the continent trades its modern European ideal for a 19th century German tactic: Realpolitik.

Only weeks ago, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was on his way to achieving pariah status in Europe. His assaults on the basic tenets of democracy, from a free press to minority rights, earned him censure across the region.

Ankara’s surprise decision in July to abandon the peace process with Kurds by attacking rebel forces drew sharp criticism from Berlin and other capitals.

The outrage was short-lived.

http://www.politico.eu/article/realpolitik-on-refugees-migrants-crisis-takes-merkel-to-turkey/