In a rare clash between the United States and a NATO ally, a U.S. military F-16 fighter jet shot down a Turkish drone operating above Syria on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
The incident occurred in the northeastern part of the country, where U.S. troops are stationed.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the American aircraft took down the drone because it posed a threat to US forces. An unnamed source familiar with the incident stated that the drone, which was armed with air-to-ground munitions, was identified as Turkish before the action was taken.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organization that documents human rights abuses in Syria, reported earlier on Thursday that an "International Coalition" targeted the Turkish drone. However, the Turkish military denied ownership of the drone, although they acknowledged that an unmanned aircraft was shot down.
Reuters reported that two U.S. officials confirmed that an F-16 shot down the Turkish drone after multiple warnings were issued regarding its proximity to American forces.
Insider reached out to the Pentagon and US Central Command (CENTCOM) for comment on the situation, but neither organization responded immediately.
The recent escalation in Turkey's bombing campaign against Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria has raised tensions in the region. Turkey has blamed these militants for a suicide bombing in Ankara over the weekend. Observers have reported several casualties resulting from the Turkish attacks this week.
As part of an international coalition, the U.S. has approximately 900 troops deployed in Syria. These forces work alongside local partners to carry out counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State.
The downing of the Turkish drone highlights the complexities and challenges faced by the U.S. and its allies in the region, as they navigate a complex web of alliances and conflicts.
Login