US forces not involved in Turkish downing of Russian warplane

WASHINGTON:

Turkey informed the United States that it shot down a Russian warplane on Tuesday after it violated Turkish airspace but US forces were not involved in the incident, a US defense official said, declining further comment.

It appeared to be the first time a NATO member's armed forces have downed a Russian or Soviet warplane since the 1950s.

Britain said the downing of a Russian warplane near the Syrian border by Turkish fighter jets on Tuesday was very serious and that it was seeking further details urgently.

However, Turkish Prime minister Davutoglu says it is Turkey's right to respond if Turkish air space is violated.