Russia says Turkey shot down its plane to protect its oil trade with the Islamic State

NOVEMBER 30, 2015 3:26 PM BY ROBERT SPENCER9 COMMENTS

Eminently plausible. Turkey repeatedly refused John Kerry’s entreaties to block the Islamic State’s black market oil trade.

“Russia says Turkey ‘shot down plane for IS oil,'” BBC, November 30, 2015:

Russia has accused Turkey of shooting down its warplane near the border with Syria in order to protect its oil trade with the Islamic State (IS) group.

Speaking at international talks on climate change in Paris, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the downing of the plane a “huge mistake”.

Turkey has denied any ties to IS and is part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against the militant group.

The Turkish government has refused to apologise for the incident.

Russia has also been carrying out air strikes in Syria, targeting rebels against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, including IS.

Turkey is a vehement opponent of Mr Assad and has been accused of turning a blind eye to jihadist fighters crossing from its territory into Syria.

Until a few months ago, Turkey was reluctant to play an active role in the coalition against IS. However, in August it allowed the US-led coalition to begin using its airbase at Incirlik…