Syrian plane leaves Ankara after being grounded

A Syrian passenger plane took off from the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday after being grounded for several hours by Turkish authorities on suspicion that it was carrying military equipment destined for Syria. The search on the plane’s cargo revealed no arms or munitions, but some parcels carried by the plane held communications devices used for military purposes, said the report, without giving any further detail. The plane was escorted by two Turkish F-16 jets to Ankara's Esenboga Airport for security checks on its cargo by Turkish officials. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said there was solid intelligence suggesting that the plane carried illegal cargo in violation of the international civilian aviation rules. Turkey had already declared that it will not allow any military plane or cargo plane carrying arms to Syria to use the Turkish airspace, Davutoglu said. Turkish jets have accompanied a Syrian civilian plane to Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Turkish Foreign Ministry announced today. The plane was escorted by two Turkish jets to Ankara's Esenboga Airport for security checks on its cargo, which is ongoing. "All civilian flights in Syrian airspace have been stopped since it is no more safe," the ministry said in a statement. "Also, a Syrian Air passenger plane flying in Turkish airspace has landed in Ankara accompanied by military jets," the statement added. The A-320 plane, traveling from Moscow to Damascus when it was intercepted by Turkish authorities at around 6:30 p.m., was carrying 37 people including the staff, daily Hurriyet reported on its website. There were 12 big parcels on the plane that held military communication devices, the report said. After the ministry warned Turkish planes not to use the Syrian airspace, a Turkish Airlines plane carrying Turkish pilgrims from the northwestern city of Bursa to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah landed urgently in the southern city of Adana, Hürriyet reported, adding that the plane took off at around 8 p.m. and will not use the Syrian airspace. Tensions between Turkey and Syria have been running high, with sporadic fire exchanges at the border since last Wednesday. Last week, a Syrian shell hit the border town of Akcakale, killing five civilians -- two women and three children. The deadly incident triggered retaliation fire from Turkish artillery units at the border, which has been increasingly fortified by scores of anti-aircraft batteries and Howitzers since the shelling. It also brought on a parliamentary mandate which is valid for one year and which allows the government to authorize cross-border operations in Syria, and to be used "if needed". The Turkish army also warned earlier Wednesday of a stronger response if Syrian shells continued to land on Turkish soil. Ties between Ankara and Damascus have been dramatically strained since June, when a Turkish jet was brought down by Syrian fire, killing its two pilots onboard.