NATO chief expresses concern over Turkey situation

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the situation in Turkey with the country's Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu on Monday in Brussels following Russia's recent airstrikes in Syria.

Calling the military actions of Russia in and around Syria are "unacceptable violations of Turkish airspace," NATO chief said he will convene a meeting of the North Atlantic Council later to discuss the situation, according to a NATO statement.

"Russia's actions are not contributing to the security and stability of the region. I call on Russia to fully respect NATO airspace and to avoid escalating tensions with the Alliance," Stoltenberg said, stressing NATO's commitment to Turkey's security.

"I urge Russia to take the necessary steps to align its efforts with those of the international community in the fight against ISIL," he said.

Russian air force stationed in Syria has conducted 25 new missions in the last 24 hours hitting nine facilities of Islamic State (IS) group, the Russian Defense ministry said Monday.

Russian air forces consisting of 50 aircraft have performed over 80 missions, destroying around 50 terrorist facilities since Wednesday.

Turkey said on Monday that a Russian warplane violated its airspace on Saturday in the southern Yayladagi town of Hatay province near the Syrian border.

"The Russian aircraft exited Turkish airspace into Syria after it was intercepted by two F-16s from the Turkish Air Force, which were conducting patrols in the region," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Endit