NATO Won't Take Military Action in Response to Turkish Jet Downing

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(BRUSSELS) -- Turkey may have to take matters into its own hands following last week's downing of one of its fighter jets by Syrian forces after NATO announced Tuesday that there would be no collective armed response to the crisis.

Ankara had requested a response from the alliance to the loss of its Phantom F-4 jet in which two pilots are still missing.  Turkey says the shoot-down occurred over international waters and was unprovoked.

In Brussels Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen declared, "We stand together with Turkey in spirit of solidarity" and condemned the action by Syrian forces.

However, the NATO head said the alliance did not discuss invoking Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty that calls for an armed response on behalf of a member that has been attacked.

Frustrated by NATO's decision not to intervene, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan made it clear that the downing of its plane would not go unanswered.

He also warned, "Any military element that approaches the Turkish border from Syria by posing a security risk and danger will be regarded as a threat and treated as a military target."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

NATO Condemns Syria for Downing Turkish Plane

NATO(BRUSSELS) -- NATO condemned Syria on Tuesday for downing a Turkish fighter jet last Friday.

After holding an emergency session on the incident in Brussels, the North Atlantic Council issued a statement saying, "We consider this act to be unacceptable and condemn it in the strongest terms.  It is another example of the Syrian authorities’ disregard for international norms, peace and security, and human life."

Turkey claims Syria shot down the F-4 plane over international waters without provocation, and called on NATO last week to hold the emergency meeting under Article 4 of its founding charter, which entitles allies to request a consultation if they feel their territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.

Two pilots were lost in the crash.

"Our thoughts at this difficult time are with the missing Turkish aircrew, their families and their loved ones," the North Atlantic Council said in its statement.  "We continue to follow the situation closely and with great concern, and will remain seized of developments on the South-Eastern border of NATO."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Turkey Requests NATO Meeting to Discuss Warplane Shot Down by Syria

NATO(NEW YORK) -- Turkey has requested a NATO meeting to discuss the shooting down of its warplane by Syria on Friday, the BBC reports.

The country has called upon Article 4 of NATO's charter, which grants allies the right to summon a consultation when the country feels its security is threatened. Turkey's foreign minister previously said the F-4 Phantom was in international airspace when it was downed. Syria denied that its firing of the plane was an act of hostility and noted that its navy joined rescue efforts for the plane's crew members once it learned the aircraft was Turkish, according to the BBC.

The United States and the U.K, both Turkey's NATO allies, condemned the act. Crew members of the downed plane have not been found yet, and the coast guard continues searching for them in the Mediterranean Sea. Hopes of them being found alive are diminishing, says the BBC.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Three American Soldiers in Afghanistan Killed by Suicide Bomber

U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Dexter S. Saulisbury(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- Three U.S. troops were among 21 people who died Wednesday when a suicide bomber detonated explosives at a military checkpoint in the southeastern Afghan city of Khost.

The American fatalities boost this year's death toll of U.S. service personnel to 149.  Estimates vary on the total number of U.S. troops who have died in the war since 2001, although one figure puts the number at 2,013.

Witnesses said that a man who blew himself up got close enough to the checkpoint to inflict massive casualties. Among those killed were an Afghan interpreter embedded with the Americans forces as well as 17 Afghan civilians who were nearby.  Thirty-two people were also wounded in the blast.

While overall attacks by the Taliban and their allies are down this year, the militants have recently stepped up their assaults in an effort to undermine the gradual transfer of security responsibilities from U.S. and NATO forces to Afghan soldiers and police.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

NATO Chief Promises Alliance Won't Abandon Afghanistan

JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages(NEW YORK) -- Even as it seems that the international coalition has already begun pulling up stakes in Afghanistan after 10 years of deployment, the head of NATO said Wednesday that the alliance "will not abandon Afghanistan, we will not leave behind a security vacuum."

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen made the remarks in Australia, a country sticking to its commitment to bring a peaceful conclusion to the long war against the Taliban despite continued dissatisfaction with the conflict at home.

This week already, France's new president said that the gradual withdrawal of his nation's forces would begin next month and will conclude by the end of 2012.  That's two years ahead of the rest of NATO.

However, Rasmussen asserted that NATO has a "common interest in and a common responsibility" to leave Afghanistan in the hands of a democratic government capable of defending itself for internal and external enemies.

He added, "I feel confident that by the end of 2014 the Afghan security forces will be able to take full responsibility for security."

In the same year, Afghan President Hamid Karzai is expected to leave office after two five-year terms and Rasmussen expressed confidence that the leader would abide by the constitution that prevents him from running for reelection.

While Karzai's relationship with the West has grown more contentious over the years, the U.S. and NATO at least know what they're getting with him as opposed to a new president, who may be less agreeable to foreign interference.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Hamid Karzai Re-Clarifies New Air Strike Ban Policy in Afghanistan

SHAH MARAI/AFP/Getty Images(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- A major difference of opinion has developed over an agreement made by the Afghan government and NATO over ending air strikes in residential areas in order to end accidental civilian casualties.

Afghan President Hamid Karzi announced at the start of the week that he received assurances from Gen. John Allen, the commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, and U.S. Ambassador John Crocker that "attacks by NATO that cause life and property losses to civilians under no circumstances could be justified and are not acceptable."

On Monday, the Pentagon explained that all air strikes were out except in last resort cases when the lives of U.S. and coalition members were in danger.

Apparently, that was not what Karzai signed up for because he said on Tuesday NATO airstrikes in civilian areas are "absolutely banned" even when the lives of coalition forces are in jeopardy.

Repeating himself, the Afghan leader said that Afghanistan regards air strikes as a "disproportionate" and illegitimate" use of force.

The loss of civilian lives in the pursuit of the enemy has long been a bone of contention between Karzai and the international coalition, especially after the deaths of 18 civilians last week that included women and children.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

US: Air Strikes on Civilian Afghan Homes Will Be on Last Resort Basis

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- NATO on Monday clarified an earlier report that said Afghan President Hamid Karzai had received assurances that the coalition would no longer conduct air strikes on areas populated by civilians.

Karzai met with Gen. John Allen, the commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker after a NATO airstrike that accidentally killed 18 civilians last week in the Baraki Barak district.  The loss of civilian lives in the pursuit of the enemy has long been a bone of contention between the Afghan government and the international coalition.

In response to Karzai's announcement,  Lt. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the deputy commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said that while the rules of engagement had not changed, "air-delivered bombs will not be employed while other means are available" in residential areas where the Taliban may be hiding out.

Scaparrotti made it clear that the U.S. and NATO "still have the right of self-defense against hostile acts or intent."  He added that air strikes can be ordered when the lives of troops are in imminent danger and no other recourse is available.

This apparently is alright with Karzai, who declared Sunday, "Attacks by NATO that cause life and property losses to civilians under no circumstances could be justified and are not acceptable."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

NATO Assures Karzai Airstrikes on Civilian-Populated Areas Will End

MASSOUD HOSSAINI/AFP/Getty Images(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- A NATO airstrike that accidentally killed 18 civilians last week was the last straw for Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

After meeting with Gen. John Allen, the commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Karzai received assurances over the weekend that the coalition would no longer conduct airstrikes on areas populated by civilians.

A statement from Karzai's office read that Allen "once again officially apologized for civilian casualties in Baraki Barak district" and "promised...not to carry out air strikes on public residential areas."

Even after the NATO commander explained that the airstrikes last week were spurred by coalition forces coming under fire by the Taliban, Karzai insisted, "Attacks by NATO that cause life and property losses to civilians under no circumstances could be justified and are not acceptable."

The loss of civilian lives in the pursuit of the enemy has long been a bone of contention between the Afghan government and the international coalition.  This agreement, if it holds, will prove to be a political victory for Karzai at the cost of making warfare more difficult for the U.S. and NATO.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Gen. John Allen Apologizes for NATO Airstrike That Killed 18 Afghans

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, flew to Logar province Friday morning, to personally apologize for a NATO airstrike that killed as many as 18 civilians, including women and children, earlier this week.

The incident happened Wednesday in the province's Baraki Barak district during an operation where Afghan and NATO forces thought they were targeting an insurgent, but instead bombed a wedding party.  

After the attack, Afghan President Hamid Karzai canceled his trip to China to return home, saying the strike was unacceptable.  

Earlier this year, Gen. Allen also apologized after U.S. troops inadvertently burned Qurans at a military base near Kabul.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Airstrike, Suicide Bombings Leave Dozens Dead in Afghanistan

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- A NATO airstrike and twin suicide bombing in Afghanistan Wednesday have reportedly left more than 40 dead and 50 wounded. 

Afghan officials say 21 civilians, including women and children, were killed when coalition forces bombed a house in the Baraki Barak district of Logar province.  A wedding party was being held there at the time.

The International Security Assistance Force has disputed those numbers, saying the attack targeted and killed only militants, and that two civilians -- both women -- suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at a NATO base.

Meanwhile in Kandahar, the Taliban have claimed responsibility for a twin suicide bombing that killed 22 civilians and sent 50 more to the hospital.  It happened while NATO supply trucks were lined up, waiting to enter the nearby air base.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio