Syrian planes banned from Turkish airspace

The Turkish foreign ministry has announced that all Syrian planes have been banned from Turkish airspace. This proclaimation comes in the wake of a Syrian plane, reportedly carrying weapons and ammunition from Russia intended for the Syrian government, being forced to land in Ankara by Turkish war planes. Turkish forces confiscated the weaponry even though Damascus contested the claim they were bound for the Syrian defense ministry. According to a foreign ministry official, the ban applies to civilian aircraft since Syrian military aircraft were already “de facto” banned. Turkish air travel has not been banned from Syrian airspace though officials have warned civilian flights to steer clear of Syria as a precaution.