Special to WorldTribune.com

ANKARA — Turkey has been preparing for an air war with Syria.

The Turkish military said four U.S.-origin F-16 multi-role fighters were
sent to the Syrian border on Oct. 5.

The military said the F-16s were deployed to stop the approach of Syrian Air Force warplanes.

“Two F-16 fighter jets scrambled from Diyarbakir air base for patrols, then headed to the region as Syrian planes approached the border,” the military said.

The statement reflected Turkish efforts to stop Syrian air combat operations. Officials said the Syrian Air Force was sending both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft over northern Syria near the Turkish border.

In September, the Turkish Air Force intercepted an Mi-17 helicopter after it crossed the border. The helicopter was shot and crashed in Syrian territory.

In the latest incident the Turkish military reported the approach of a
Syrian Air Force Su-24 fighter-bomber near Kilis. The military said another
Su-24 flew toward Turkey’s Hatay province.

In both cases, the Su-24s were driven off by the F-16s.

The military said the F-16s were deployed at Incirlik base in southeast Turkey.

  Diyarbakir air base, F-16 multi-role fighters, Incirlik air base, Syrian Su-24s, Turkey scrambled F-16s to stop Syrian air operations near border