In a rare and sensitive development, the United States has taken down an armed Turkish drone operating in close proximity to its troops stationed in Syria. This incident represents the first time the US has shot down an aircraft belonging to its NATO ally, Turkey.
An official from the Turkish defense ministry clarified that the drone did not pertain to the Turkish armed forces but did not disclose its owner.
The incident occurred shortly after Turkey’s national intelligence agency conducted strikes in Syria, targeting Kurdish militant positions in response to a bomb attack that took place in Ankara over the weekend.
Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder revealed that Turkish drones had previously conducted airstrikes in Hasakah, Syria, approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from US troops earlier that morning. A few hours later, a Turkish drone ventured within half a kilometer of US forces, which was deemed a threat and subsequently intercepted by F-16 aircraft.
Ryder stated, “We have no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting US forces.”
Following the incident, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in a “fruitful” conversation with his Turkish counterpart.
This episode unfolds during a sensitive period in US-Turkish relations, with the US anticipating Turkey’s ratification of NATO membership for Sweden.
While this marks the first instance of the US shooting down a Turkish aircraft, tensions have previously escalated, resulting in close encounters. In 2019, US troops in northern Syria were subjected to artillery fire from Turkish positions.
US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces reported that Turkish attacks led to the deaths of eight individuals, signaling an escalation triggered by the recent attack in Ankara, carried out by Kurdish militants.
The longstanding US support for Kurdish forces in northern Syria has consistently strained relations with Turkey, which views these groups as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK claimed responsibility for the attack near government buildings in Ankara.
Turkey has now suggested that it might consider a ground operation into Syria as a potential response. This follows Turkey’s previous incursions into northern Syria against the Syrian-Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).
A Turkish defense ministry official stated, “Our only goal is to eliminate the terrorist organizations that pose a threat to Turkey. A ground operation is one of the options to eliminate this threat, but it is not the only option for us.”
Security forces in northeastern Syria reported multiple Turkish drone attacks on the region, with over 15 drones entering the airspace and targeting various sites, including oil and gas facilities and infrastructure. These attacks resulted in the deaths of six members of the internal security forces in northeastern Syria and two civilians in separate incidents.
Furthermore, Turkey has intensified its operations against the PKK, conducting airstrikes in northern Iraq. Turkish authorities maintain that infrastructure and energy facilities in Iraq and Syria under PKK and YPG control represent legitimate military targets.
However, the YPG serves as the principal ally of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State, and support for this faction by the US and other coalition members, including France, has further strained relations with Turkey.
