Erdogan vows retaliation against Syrian regime

Turkish troops will continue to respond to Syrian regime attacks, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday, as the two sides engage in deadly tit-for-tat skirmishes in northern Syria.

“The more they attack our soldiers, they will pay a very, very heavy price,” Erdogan told a televised ceremony in Ankara.

Turkish officials said on Monday 101 Syrian regime soldiers had been “neutralised” following the killing of five Turks in Idlib—the last major rebel bastion. There was no independent confirmation of the figures.

Russian-backed government forces launched an all-out assault on Idlib in December, retaking town after town. Hundreds of thousands have fled and hundreds of civilians have been killed.

Turkey has backed some anti-regime groups in the eight-year conflict and set up military posts in Idlib under a 2018 deal with Russia.

Turkish officials say three of these so-called observation posts have been encircled by the Syrian army and Erdogan has given Damascus until the end of the month to withdraw. Monday’s exchange was the second such clash in a week.

 

Erdogan vows retaliation against Syrian regime

Turkish troops will continue to respond to Syrian regime attacks, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday, as the two sides engage in deadly tit-for-tat skirmishes in northern Syria. The more they attack our soldiers, they will pay a very, very heavy price, Erdogan told a televised ceremony in Ankara. Turkish officials said on Monday 101 Syrian regime soldiers had been neutralised following the killing of five Turks in Idlibthe last major rebel bastion. There was no independent confirmation of the figures. Russian-backed government forces launched an all-out assault on Idlib in December, retaking town after town. Hundreds of thousands have fled and hundreds of civilians have been killed. Turkey has backed some anti-regime groups in the eight-year conflict and set up military posts in Idlib under a 2018 deal with Russia. Turkish officials say three of these so-called observation posts have been encircled by the Syrian army and Erdogan has given Damascus until the end of the month to withdraw. Mondays exchange was the second such clash in a week.