Forces might have confused Turkish jet for Israeli one, minister says

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

In this April 29, 2010 file photo, a Turkish pilot salutes before take-off at an air base in Konya, Turkey. AP photo

Syrian forces could have confused the Turkish jet they shot down on June 22 for one that belonged to Israel, Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zubi told private Turkish broadcaster A Haber today.

"Turkish planes and Israel planes look like each other," the minister said, noting that the "Zionist country" was in the area. "If an Israeli plane enters Syria, it is welcomed by fire. [The Turkish plane] might have been believed to be an Israeli plane; we did not want to take down a Turkish plane."
 
Al-Zubi also said they had no information about the pilots of the downed jet.

Israeli planes occasionally violate Syrian airspace, according to reports.