This is impossible to reconcile with 10 warnings given over a period of 5 minutes. The SU24 crashed well within Syrian territory. That too makes the Turkish claim it was shot down whilst violating Turkish airspace unlikely.
The Russians of course deny the SU24 was in Turkish airspace at all. Even the facts the Turks claim the shoot down looks unjustified.
If the SU24 was inside Turkish airspace for a few seconds — as the Turks themselves say — and was returning to its base — as it clearly was — then it posed no threat to Turkey and there was no cause to shoot it down.
The Turks sense they are in a weak position. Their actions prove it. Instead of denouncing Russia they soft pedalled as if trying to play down the incident.
The Turks have also made a dash for NATO support.
As I said in an interview I gave Sputnik, this looks like an attempt to get cover from Turkey's Western allies before the Russians come after the Turks with their questions.
In the event — as I also predicted in my interview for Sputnik — the support Turkey has received from its Western allies has been less than resounding. All the talk coming out of Western capitals has been of the need for restraint. Threats and warnings against Russia and words of support for Turkey have so far been notably absent.
This undoubtedly reflects widespread unease about Turkey's conduct and widespread acceptance that it was not Russia that infringed Turkish airspace, but Turkey which infringed Syrian airspace by shooting down the SU24 inside Syria.
Why did Turkey shoot down the SU24?
It is unlikely Turkey acted with Washington's prior permission. Those who think so seriously underestimate the whimsical nature of Turkey's Syrian policy, which Washington is more concerned to restrain than encourage. The restrained language coming out of Washington does not suggest US involvement.
It is possible the incident was an accident caused by aggressive Turkish pilots exceeding their orders.
The way the SU24 was shot down however points to an ambush, which suggests pre-planning and the involvement of Turkey's political leadership. The Turks might be trying to protect the local jihadi groups they have sponsored, especially as some of them in the area are Turkish speaking.
It could also be that the Turks wanted to provoke a crisis with Russia that would cause their Western allies to unite behind them. They might think that that is the only way to rescue their regime change Syrian policy.
Most likely the incident simply reflects anger and injured pride.
Some Turkish leaders feel humiliated at the way Russia has turned the tables on Turkey in Syria. This might be their way of — as they see it — getting their own back.
If something like this had happened to a US aircraft the air would now be thick with demands for vengeance. Fortunately Russia's response — though strong — will be more measured.
There will be a severe cooling of relations, which will hurt Turkey's economy which depends heavily on Russia. However the Russians' immediate priority will be the safety of their strike force in Syria.
There has been much debate about whether Russia might deploy advanced aircraft like the MIG31BM or sophisticated surface to air missiles like the S300 and the S400 to Syria. Turkey's recklessness in shooting down a Russian SU24 has just made that far more likely. Should that happen Ankara will get no thanks in Washington or in Jerusalem.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Sputnik.
