On Thursday, a U.S. F-16 fighter jet intercepted and shot down a Turkish drone as it approached U.S. military forces in northeast Syria, further escalating tensions between the two already strained allies who are grappling with various security challenges.

In response to this incident, U.S. officials initiated a comprehensive effort to mend relations with their fellow NATO member.

The United States and its coalition partners rely on Turkey’s cooperation for a range of critical objectives, including facilitating Sweden’s potential accession to the Western alliance, engaging in future diplomatic efforts related to Ukraine, and addressing ongoing terrorist threats in the Middle East.

U.S. officials emphasized that they had no reason to believe that Turkey intended to target American forces, the Wall Street Journal reported.

However, they acknowledged that the Turkish drone was armed and had ventured within half a kilometer of U.S. troops despite repeated warnings to maintain a safe distance.

At one point, multiple drones were operating within an area designated by the United States for its military operations.

Although these drones initially departed in response to American warnings, one of them returned, prompting the F-16 fighter jet to take defensive action.

Approximately 900 U.S. troops are stationed in Syria, collaborating with Kurdish-led fighters in the ongoing battle against the Islamic State.

Turkey has long expressed concerns that these Syrian Kurds are militants who pose a threat to Ankara.

Written by staff