Turkish military planes shoot down Syrian surveillance drone in Turkey's airspace

Turkish military jets shot down a Syrian surveillance drone after it violated Turkey's airspace today. Eyewitnesses in Turkey's Hatay province, which borders Syria, have reported seeing an aircraft fired upon by jets and break apart in the air. The Turkish NTV news channel said that the drone came down in Syrian territory.

Eyewitnesses in Turkey's Hatay province, which borders Syria, have reported seeing an aircraft fired upon by jets and break apart in the air. The Turkish NTV news channel said that the drone came down in Syrian territory.

A Turkish military official has confirmed that two F-16 fighters flying from the Incirlik base in southern Turkey opened fire, but was unable to give any details about their target.

The Turkish armed forces have increased security in near the border in Hatay following the incident.

Turkey has a 900km (560 mile) border with Syria. It has been vocal in its hostility to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Assad has stated that Turkish support was an important factor in helping militant Islamist insurgents take control of the north-western Syrian city of Idlib earlier this year.

Turkey has denied the allegation and any suggestions that it has delivered arms to the Islamists who are trying to overthrow Assad.