Border bombing not a retaliation, says Davutoglu

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the bombing at Bab al-Hawa crossing on Syria-Turkey border should not be interpreted as an act of retaliation for the downing of the Syrian helicopter that violated Turkish airspace. Davutoglu stressed that the aircraft encroaching 2 km into Turkish airspace clearly violated Turkey's border and Turkey took action within the rules of engagement with Syria. "One should not immediately conclude that this was an act of retaliation. A retaliation against Turkey inside Syria's borders is out of question. The Syrian administration must know that they will suffer the consequences even if they consider such an act," said Davutoglu, adding that Turkey will never allow the war in Syria spill over to its borders. Davutoglu also talked with US Secretary of State John Kerry over the phone about the downing of the Syrian helicopter and the chemical attack in Syria.