On 10 February 2020, the Turkish Defense Ministry issued a statement saying that Syrian government forces had allegedly attacked its military post in the Taftanaz area of Syria’s Idlib Province, killing five soldiers, while injuring another five.
The statement added that the Turkish military, in its turn, has immediately responded to the attack. Fahrettin Altun, a representative of the Turkish presidential administration, has confirmed Turkish retaliation.
“Turkey retaliated against the attack to destroy all enemy targets and avenging our fallen troops. The war criminal who ordered today’s heinous attack, targeted the entire international community, not just Turkey. The Turkish Armed Forces, who tirelessly serve the cause of peace and stability around the world, will continue to crush anyone who dares to target our flag, to reassure our friends, and to strike fear into the hearts of our enemies,” Altun wrote on Twitter.
According to the media report, Turkey is gradually deploying more forces in the region as a convoy of 150 trucks carrying Turkish special forces troops, military equipment and ammunition were seen at the Turkey-Syria border in the province of Hatay.