Turkey’s army has scrambled six F-16 fighter jets near its border with Syria whose helicopters came close to the border.

The BBC reports that six jets were sent to the area in response to three incidents yesterday. However, there was no violation of Turkish airspace.

Last month, Syrian forces shot down a Turkish jet in the border area. The incident further strained already tense relations between the former allies.

Turkey's government has been outspoken in its condemnation of Syria's response to the 16-month anti-government uprising, which has seen more than 30,000 Syrian refugees enter Turkey.