With the direct support from Turkey, Syrian anti-government forces including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), National Front for Liberation (NFL) make important advances in Southern Idlib on 1 March 2020, according to diversified sources. Analyzing the reports of those sources it can be said that Turkish-backed anti-Government forces managed to capture the towns of Fleifel, Kafr…
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News and Analyses of events in Eastern Europe and Russia
Turkey hits Syrian military airport in Aleppo
It is reported by Anadolu Agency citing local sources that the Turkish Armed Forces targeted the Syrian military airport in Aleppo. According to the cited source, the Turkish Armed Forces used armed drones and fire support vehicles to target the Al-Nayrab military airport, which Syrian air force frequently used in Idlib battle. The cited source…
Read moreTurkey launches full-scale military operation in Idlib, shot down 2 Syrian fighters
According to several media outlets, on 1 March 2020, Turkey shot down 2 Syrian fighter jets over Idlib. Syrian state-run news agency SANA claimed that the pilots ejected safely and landed in the government-controlled area. On the other side, Turkish Defense Ministry claimed that the downed fighter jets were Su-24 that attempted to attack Turkish…
Read moreTurkey vows to attack Syrian positions in Idlib as ‘legitimate targets’
On 28 February 2020, Turkey said that the positions of Syrian government forces inside Idlib would become ‘legitimate targets’. Turkish angry reaction came after Syrian airstrike that killed 33 Turkish soldiers. On the other side, Turkey’s communications director said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to meet in…
Read moreRussia claims, slain Turkish soldiers in Idlib were with ‘terrorist groups’
Russian defense ministry said that slain Turkish troops were acting inside ‘combat units’ with ‘terrorists’ in Idlib province when they were targeted by a Syrian government airstrike on 27 February 2020, where 33 Turkish service members were killed. On 28 February 2020, the Russian defense ministry said that the airstrike happened when the Syrian government…
Read moreAt least 33 Turkish soldiers killed in Idlib airstrike
Several media reported that 33 Turkish service members were killed in a Syrian airstrike on the Greater Idlib region on 27 February 2020. Valisi Dogan, governor of the southern Turkish province of Hatay said that many other service members were injured in the Syrian airstrikes. Hatay is the Turkish province bordering Idlib. According to anti-government…
Read moreSituation summary of Syrian battlefield
According to Syrian government sources, the Syrian Army has resumed offensive operations in southern Idlib. That offensive is helping the government forces in liberating several villages. On 22 February 2020, the Ministry of Transport announced that Damascus-Aleppo international M5 highway was officially opened to traffic. Meanwhile, several media reported on 23 February 2020 that the…
Read moreRussia and Turkey in a standoff in Syria, Erdogan vows for Idlib offensive
According to some media sources, clashes between the Syrian Arab Army and anti-government forces are going on in Idlib Province. On the other hand, Turkey, a NATO partner country, claimed that Syrian government forces broken a ceasefire agreement. It also threatened to launch a military offensive in retaliation in Idlib Province. Meanwhile, on 19 February…
Read moreSettling with Russia may defuse the Turkish quandary over northern Syria
Several media reported that during a speech in the nation’s parliament on 12 February 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Syria that if Turkish soldiers are hit by the Syrian army again, the retaliation will unfurl beyond Idlib. “I announce that we will strike the Syrian forces everywhere starting from today, without being bound to…
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