After various allegations and speculation, whose decision it was, former Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu said today that he was the one who gave the order under which the Turkish pilots brought down a Russian Su-24 bomber on November 24, 2015, following protocol. This was reported by Hurriyet Daily News.

Davutoglu explained that his order did not concern the specific aircraft but was general order concerning the defense of the airspace of Turkey.

“Within our state’s customs, the prime minister gives the rules of engagement in a written directive to the General Staff. I gave the order on Oct. 10,” stated Davutoglu for the edition.

He also said that the order was pointing to the need to be removed not only Syrian planes but also all other aircraft that violate air borders. Davutoglu also claims that the order was given up after numerous violations by Russian planes. Ministry of Defense of Russia, however, categorically denied then all accusations by Turkey for violating its air border.

Su-24 was shot down on Syrian territory on November 24, 2015. The pi was Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov was killed on the ground by terrorists after he ejected from the aircraft. Davutoglu resigned in May this year as a result of the accumulated contradictions between him and President Erdogan.