Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2307
2007-09-10 15:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF TURKISH AIRSPACE BY ISRAEL

Tags:  PREL MOPS SY IS TU 
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VZCZCXYZ0031
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAK #2307 2531510
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 101510Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3691
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 0927
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 1665
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0151
RHMFISS/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU PRIORITY
RHMFISS/425ABS IZMIR TU//CC// PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY
RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA/DSCA// PRIORITY
RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002307 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2022
TAGS: PREL MOPS SY IS TU
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF TURKISH AIRSPACE BY ISRAEL


Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b,d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002307

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2022
TAGS: PREL MOPS SY IS TU
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF TURKISH AIRSPACE BY ISRAEL


Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Babacan has expressed his
concern over reports that Israeli warplanes may have violated
Turkish airspace near the Turkey-Syria border on September 6.
A full investigation is underway. According to press
reports, jettisoned fuel tanks -- allegedly associated with
Israeli F-15 aircraft -- were found on Turkish territory in
the province of Hatay bordering Syria. Meanwhile, Syrian
Foreign Minister Mouallem visited Ankara on September 10, and
the press is speculating the visit is tied to the aircraft
incident. End summary.


2. (C) On September 8, the semi-official Anatolian News
Agency reported that the MFA had requested an explanation
from Israel after authorities found what appeared to be
jettisoned aircraft fuel tanks in the southeastern Turkish
province of Hatay, near the Turkey-Syria border. In a
September 10 joint press conference with visiting Syrian FM
Mouallem, Turkish FM Babacan called the airspace violation an
"unacceptable development" and said that a "multilateral
investigation" is underway. He confirmed that Turkey has
demanded an explanation from Israel. Foreign Ministry
officials whom we contacted refused to provide any details on
the circumstances surrounding the supposed airspace
violation. Israeli diplomats here are also refusing to
comment.


3. (U) According to reports circulating in the Turkish media,
Israeli jets violated Turkish airspace on September 6 while
testing Syrian air defenses. TV reporting showed what
appeared to be external aircraft fuel tanks found along the
Turkey-Syria border, with speculation that the fuel tanks are
associated with Israeli F-15 warplanes.


4. (C) We will provide a read-out of Mouallem's meetings via
septel.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON

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