Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told his AKP party that the country’s F4-Phantom was unarmed and in international airspace when it was shot down by Syrian air defences on Friday.

“Turkey’s friendship is priceless and important and everyone must know that Turkish anger can be even stronger than friendship.”

Turkey rejects Syrian claims that the aircraft was flying low and fast over Syrian territory when it was shot down.

Ankara says that intercepted radio communications show that Syria was aware of the nature of the flight.

The plane took off from the east of Turkey on a training mission to test the country’s new radar system on a flight from Turkey to Cyprus.

Erdogan said that the rules of engagement for Turkish armed forces have now changed.

Any Syrian military approaching Turkish borders will be considered hostile and Turkey will react to infiltrations, breaches of airspace and territorial waters in accordance with international law.