Syria condemns Turkey ´aggression´ after jet downed

DAMASCUS: Syria accused Ankara of "flagrant aggression" Sunday after Turkey shot down a warplane near the border, raising tensions as Syrian loyalists and rebels battled for control of a frontier crossing.

Turkey, which backs the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, warned Damascus against testing its determination and pledged a tough response if Syrian warplanes violate its airspace again.

It was the most serious incident since Turkish warplanes last September downed a Syrian helicopter that Ankara said was two kilometres (more than a mile) inside its airspace.

A Syrian military source said Turkey shot down the warplane "in a flagrant act of aggression that is evidence of (Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip) Erdogan´s support for terrorist groups".

The aircraft "was chasing terrorist groups inside Syrian territory at Kasab", said the source, referring to the disputed border crossing.

The pilot was able to eject.Since Friday, Syrian troops and rebels have been fighting for control of Kasab border post in the northwestern province of Latakia, a regime stronghold.