Turkey Scrambles F-16 Jets Over Syrian Border

Tension on the border between Turkey and Syria again rose as both countries reportedly deployed warplanes over the weekend.

On Sunday, Ankara said it scrambled F-16 fighter jets three times from its Incirlik air base to ward off Syrian helicopters -- identified as Mi-8 and Mi-17 Russian-made assault transport helicopters, according to Hurriyet Daily News -- that were flying close to the border.

According to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, Syria has become a clear and present danger for Turkey ever since Damascus downed a Turkish warplane last week. Ankara claims that the plane was flying over international waters when it was shot down, but Syria insists that the jet violated its airspace.