Czech officials say jet incident shows need for coordinated action in Syria

Czech officials have expressed concern over the downing of a Russian fighter jet somewhere on the Turkish-Syrian border by Turkish forces early on Tuesday. Speaking on an official visit to China, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said the incident showed the need for better communication and coordination among states fighting ISIL in the region. Czech Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek said the incident should serve as an urgent warning for the international community to get together and agree on a common strategy. Since there is no agreement and no clearly defined enemy individual parties are fighting their own war in their own interests, and the lack of coordination only serves the terrorists, the Czech foreign minister said in a statement published on the ministry’s web page. President Zeman said the shooting down of the Russian fighter jet was a radical measure which would only increase tensions in the region. Turkey claims the jet violated its airspace, while Russia claims to have proof that it never left Syrian territory.