Syrian Fencers have reportedly also been involved in near-encounters with NATO warplanes . The first of such incidents occurred in early September 2013 , when Syrian Su-24s of the 819th Squadron ( launched from Tiyas Military Airbase ) flew low over the Mediterranean and approached the 14-mile air exclusion zone surrounding the British airbase in Akrotiri , Cyprus . The jets turned back before reaching the area due to two RAF Eurofighter Typhoons being scrambled to intercept them . Turkey also sent two F-16s . The Fencers were possibly testing the air defenses of the base ( and their reaction time ) in preparation for a possible military strike by the U.S , the United Kingdom and France in the aftermath of the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta , Damascus allegedly committed by the Syrian government
chemical weapons attack in Ghouta , Damascus
Ghouta chemical attack
Sukhoi Su-24