Turkey denies downing Armenian aircraft

The government of Armenia has denounced Turkey's alleged military intervention in its armed clashes with Azerbaijan, releasing photos of what it claims is an Armenian warplane downed by a Turkish jet.

Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have denied Ankara's involvement in the conflict.

Fighting erupted between the two former Soviet republics last Sunday over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, an ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan.

More than 100 people have been killed over four days of hostilities.

The Armenian government on Wednesday released four new photos of a SU-25 attack jet allegedly shot down by a Turkish F-16 fighter. It says the pilot of the aircraft was dead. Armenia claims Turkey is interfering in the conflict by backing Azerbaijani forces.

Turkey's government has denied downing the SU-25, and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev claimed that the Turkish air force has not taken part in any combat.

Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that Ankara would do what is necessary if Azerbaijan requests military aid.

nhk