Turkey Shoots Down Syrian Fighter Jet that Crossed Border

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his armed forces shot down a Syrian fighter jet that allegedly crossed into Turkish air space because “if you violate my airspace, our slap will be hard.” The incident occurred on Sunday near the border where rebels are fighting for control against troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported heavy fighting in border areas, saying the rebel fighters have launched an offensive along the northwestern border. Fighting is again heavy in and around Aleppo, which has been the scene of some of the most intense battles during the course of the civil war, which has now entered its fourth year.