Defence

Details have emerged of Turkish interceptions and inspections of six Iranian and Syrian aircraft on behalf of Israel during the latter's recent conflict with Hezbollah militants operating in southern Lebanon.

The Turkish government became involved in Israel's war in Lebanon when it followed Israeli intelligence leads by intercepting two Iranian transport aircraft transiting its airspace en route to Damascus, Syria.

Believed to have been Ilyushin Il-76s, the aircraft were forced to land at Diyarbakir airbase in south-east Turkey on 27 June and 8 August. Israel had suspected the flights were being used to deliver missiles to Hezbollah militants, but both aircraft were declared clear by the Turkish authorities following a search.

Turkey intercepted a further three Iranian and one Syrian aircraft during the crisis, it has been revealed.