United Nations, December 8 (RHC)-- Russia has called on the United Nations Security Council to hold closed-door discussions on Turkish military actions in Syria and Iraq. UN officials say that tensions have been running high between Ankara and Moscow following the recent shooting down of a Russian bomber by a Turkish warplane.

On November 24th, Turkey shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24M jet in Syrian airspace, claiming that the aircraft had violated the Turkish airspace. Russia rejects Turkey's claim, saying the aircraft was over Syria, where Moscow has been carrying out airstrikes against terrorist groups operating in the Arab country.

In related news, Iraqi officials have recently accused Turkey of violating the country's sovereignty by deploying hundreds of soldiers to a camp in northern Iraq.

Baghdad has threatened to refer the case to the Security Council unless Ankara withdraws its forces. On Monday, Turkey said it would not withdraw its forces, claiming that the troops are there as part of an international mission to train and equip Iraqi forces to fight Daesh terrorists. The Iraqi government, however, says it has never invited such a force.