14 Oct 2012

Syria bans Turkish civilian flights

5:26 pm on 14 October 2012

Turkish civilian planes are no longer allowed to fly over Syria, Damascus has said, amid growing tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

The BBC reports the ban took effect at midnight on Saturday.

This comes just days after Turkey intercepted a Syrian-bound plane, claiming it carried Russian-made munitions for the Syrian army.

Syria has described the claim as a lie, challenging Ankara to put the seized goods on public view.

The Syrian foreign ministry said its ban on Turkish flights was in retaliation for a similar move from Ankara.

Turkey has not announced such a measure, although it has said it will continue to ground Syrian civilian planes it suspects are carrying military cargo.