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Turkish state TV: Intercepted Syrian plane carried military communications equipment

ANKARA, Turkey – State-run television TRT reports that a Syrian plane intercepted by Turkish jets was carrying military communications equipment.

Turkish officials have yet to specify what was aboard the Syrian Air A320 from Moscow that was forced to land in Ankara on Wednesday.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the cargo contained “elements … that are not legitimate in civilian flights.”

Russia’s Itar-TASS news agency quoted an official at the Russian embassy in Ankara saying that the cargo “was not of Russian origin.”

The plane’s 37 passengers and crew were allowed to continue to Damascus after several hours without the cargo.

Russia’s embassy in Ankara protested the incident and asked Turkey for an explanation.

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