Military source: Downing of Russian jet is a violation by Turkey, stresses its support for terrorists

DAMASCUS – Turkey’s downing of the Russian warplane over the Syrian territory confirms beyond doubt that the Turkish government backs terrorism and is providing all forms of support to the terrorist organizations that are crumbling under the Syrian Arab Army’s strikes, a military source said on Tuesday, according to Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Russian Defense Ministry announced earlier today that a Russian Su-24 fighter jet had been shot down as it was on a mission targeting terrorists in the northern countryside of Lattakia province.

 The Ministry confirmed that the plane hadn’t violated Turkish airspace and was flying at an altitude of 6,000 meters.

The military source condemned Turkey’s downing of the Russian aircraft, which took place at 9:23 am, as a “gross violation of the Syrian sovereignty.

The Russian jet was hit as it was on its way back from its combat mission against ISIS, the source noted.

It concluded the statement by saying that the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces stresses that “the desperate acts of aggression will only increase our determination to continue the war against the terrorist organizations with the support and help of Syria’s friends, mainly Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the downing of the Russian aircraft over Syria is “a stab in the back delivered accomplices of the terrorists,” adding that the incident will have grave consequences for Russia’s relations with Turkey.