Syria bans Turkish planes from its airspace

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- Syria's state-run news agency SANA says Syria decided to ban Turkish Airlines flights from Syrian airspace.

SANA sent the announcement to reporters in a text message late Saturday, but did not elaborate.

The decision came three days after Turkey intercepted a Syrian passenger plane en route from Moscow to Damascus and seized what it said was military equipment on board.

Tensions between the neighbors have been rising since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad erupted 19 months ago.

Turkey sides with the rebels, providing political support and a rear base. Turkey has also begun retaliating for stray Syrian shells and mortar rounds hitting Turkish soil.