Turkey Masses Tanks on Syria Border Amid Rising Russia Tensions

Also Sending More Fighter Jets to Patrol Area

by Jason Ditz, 

Tensions between Turkey and Russia continue to rise today after Turkish fighters destroyed a Russian bomber earlier this week. Military sources say Turkey has moved another 20 tanks to the Syrian border related to the rising tensions.

The tanks had been in the western provinces and are being sent by rail to Gaziantep area, where they’re being moved toward the border. In addition, Turkey has added 18 more fighter jets to its patrols along the border.

Russia has also been building up its military footprint in the area, adding anti-aircraft missiles to control the airspace in the area, and pledging to escort all bombers on future runs with fighters of their own to try to dissuade Turkey from taking any more shots at them.

Though Turkish President Erdogan insists he wouldn’t have had the plane shot down if he new it was Russian, he also ruled out ever apologizing under any circumstances. Russia, for its part, seems to be moving toward imposing economic sanctions over the attack.

http://news.antiwar.com/2015/11/26/turkey-masses-tanks-on-syria-border-amid-rising-russia-tensions/