Six Turkish soldiers have been killed and nine wounded in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province because of shelling by Syrian government forces.
Turkey also claims that in retaliatory fire, 30 to 35 Syrian troops have been killed. The war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported 13 soldiers dead. But the Syrian media outlet SANA reported that there were no casualties.
These developments came after a Turkish military convoy entered the region, which is the last rebel stronghold in Syria. This happened as a reaction to a Syrian government offensive in the region. The offensive backed by Russia raises concerns for a new refugee crisis.
Syrians affected by the airstrikes are fleeing north towards Turkey’s borders. But Turkey is reluctant to open its borders this time.
Turkey’s Defense Ministry said that the forces sent as reinforcements were attacked despite advanced notification of their positions.
Russia, a major ally of President Bashar al-Assad, disputed the claim, and it blamed lack of information.
Kremlin’s spokesperson also added that Moscow is continually coordinating with Ankara.
In 2018, Turkey and Russia signed a de-escalation agreement over Idlib. Both sides agreed to Jointly patrol the area to prevent clashes between Syrian troops and rebels. Turkey also maintains 12 observational posts in the region.
”Not Stand In Our Way”
Speaking to reporters before departing for a visit to Ukraine. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “Those who test Turkey’s determination with such vile attacks will understand their mistake….”.
Erdogan warned Russia, asking not to get involved in its dealings with Syria over the shelling. He clearly told Moscow ‘’not to stand in our way’’.
Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar immediately traveled to the Turkey-Syrian border to assure the troops. He said
Our people should know that the necessary has been done and will continue to be done,”
Russian Defense Ministry said that turkey failed to notify them about their positions. And the fire that hit them was for terrorists. Idlib’s airspace is also under Russia’s control.
It said that no Turkish plane entered Syria’s airspace on Monday.
Syrian Offensive
The events unfolded amid a Syrian government offensive into the country’s last rebel stronghold. Which is located in Idlib and parts of the nearby Aleppo region. The Syrian government has been on the attack since December, to recapture the important highway held by rebels since 2012.
The high way passes through the town of Maaret al-Numan and Saraqeb. SANA reported that Syrian government forces captured the principal Idlib town of Maaret al-Numan and are now eyeing Saraqeb.
The Syrian offensive backed Russia. It is aimed at driving out “terrorists” from the region. The Hay’et Tahrir al-Sham armed group, a former al-Qaeda affiliate. Russia and Turkey both consider it a terrorist organization, controls a large portion of Idlib.
Refugee Crisis In Syria
There are 3.6 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, and the president has said it would not be able to handle a fresh influx of displaced people.
The UN on Saturday said that around 6500 children flee daily, and about 12 million are desperate for supplies. A report by UN claimed, almost 390,000 people, mainly women, and children had fled their homes in northwest Syria since December 1 last year.
The current wave of violence in Idlib has raised concerns about a new surge in displaced civilians fleeing towards the fleeing toward the Turkish border.
What’s Next?
Turkey has funded and armed opponents of the government since the outset of the Syrian crisis. Because of its explicit aim of removing President Bashar al-Assad from power.
Russia’s backing for the Syrian offensive in Idlib province shows that Russia is choosing its long-time Syrian ally over Ankara.
The shelling between Syrian and Turkish forces indicates that the diplomatic tensions present from the outset, are now expressing themselves in outright fighting on the ground.
