2 American war planes violate Turkish airspace

Two U.S. war planes violated Turkey's airspace over the border with Iraq for four minutes this week.

Photo: 2 American war planes violate Turkish airspace

In a statement posted on its Web site, the military said the two F-16 jets roamed into the Turkish airspace on Thursday, over the region of Uzumlu, in the province of Hakkari which borders northern Iraq.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry had been informed of the violation, and had been asked to make the necessary initiative, the military said.

The violation comes amid intensified debate in Turkey about whether to conduct a cross-border operation into northern Iraq to pursue separatist Kurdish rebels who stage attacks inside Turkey from bases there.

Turkish media have been reporting that the army was massing troops along the border, including in Uzumlu.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said this week he would back Turkey's generals if they decide to strike Kurdish rebels in Iraq.