Israeli Fighter Jets Violate Turkish Airspace

Several Israeli fighter jets involved in the overnight airstrike against Iran on June 13 violated Turkish airspace, the Hürriyet newspaper reported today.

According to columnist Hande Fırat, citing her own sources, Turkey’s Air Force detected the incursion and promptly scrambled multiple F-16 jets, ordering the Israeli pilots to leave Turkish airspace—an order they complied with immediately.

The incident, according to the report, was deemed accidental.

Regarding Israel's broader use of neighboring countries’ airspace, Fırat noted that Israeli aircraft have been flying over Syria and Iraq. Since Syria lacks an effective air defense system, Israel does not seek permission to enter its airspace.

Meanwhile, Iraqi airspace is under U.S. control and was accessible to Israeli aircraft, the report stated.

Due to rising tensions in the region, Turkish Air Force AWACS early warning aircraft are reportedly monitoring national airspace around the clock, with interceptor jets on standby for emergency response.

Without a formal declaration of war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government launched a massive assault on Iran this past Friday. The operation included the targeted killing of scientists and generals, strikes on military installations, and attacks on the Natanz nuclear facility, among other strategic objectives.

The aggression triggered a wave of international condemnation, particularly across the Middle East, where several countries warned of a potential escalation that could spiral into a regional war.