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Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutolu (Photo: Today's Zaman, Mevlt Karabulut) 15 July 2013 / TODAYSZAMAN.COM, STANBUL
Dismissing reports that Israel used an airbase in Turkey to carry out airstrikes on Syrian Mediterranean port city of Latakia, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutolu has said that such claims have been circulated on purpose in order to defame Turkey because of its active Middle East policy. In a televised interview on Monday, Davutolu said that that reports suggesting that Israel used a Turkish base to target Syr ia are absolutely wrong and the goal of similar news reports is to defame Turkey. These claims are absolutely untrue. The news outlets putting forward such reports have an aim of defaming Turkey; they also made similar reports [with the same aim] during the Gezi events, stated Davutolu. He also added that Turkish national media outlets that spread those reports are committing an act of betrayal. The English-language Russia Today TV channel reported on Sunday that Israel used a Turkish military base to launch airstrikes against Syria from the sea, citing a reliable source. "Our source is telling us that Israeli planes left a military base inside Turkey and approached Latakia from the sea to make sure that they stayed out of Syrian airspace so that they cannot become a legitimate target for the Syrian air force," RT said. The airstrike in Latakia reportedly targeted Russian Yakhont anti-ship missiles, one of the types of advanced weapons that Israeli officials have previously said they would not allow to reach Syria. It would be the fourth known Israeli airstrike against Syria this year.