ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — At least 7,000 people from the Syria-Turkey border area—mostly ethnic Turkmens—have fled into Turkey following heavy Russian airstrikes near the area where Turkey shot down a Russian warplane on November 24, according to a Rudaw correspondent. “At least 7,000 people, mostly Turkmens, and some from [Syrian Kurdistan] alongside a minor numbers of Arabs, are displaced due to Russian airstrikes,” according to Mohamad Ezadin. According to Ezadin, Russian airstrikes are heavily attacking areas where a Russian Su-24 jet was shot down by Turkey on November 24. One of the pilots who parachuted from the Su-24 was killed, while another was rescued. Russia has reported that one of its marines involved in the rescue of the downed pilots was also killed during recovery operations Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu responded to his country shooting down the Russian fighter jet by saying Ankara had exercised its “national duty” after the Russian aircraft violated its airspace while conducting air raids in Syria. Russia has claimed the aircraft never crossed the Turkish border. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the “tragic incident” would bring “serious consequences” for Turkey. Ezadin reported the refugees were welcomed by Turkish officials and more than 1,000 tents have been set up to be used as shelters and 100 tons of food has been provided for the refugees.
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