The Turkish Defence Ministry on Friday reported that one soldier was killed and two others wounded in Syrian government forces artillery fire in Idlib Province.
The ministry tweeted that Turkish army forces continue to attack Syrian government positions in the area.
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) February 28, 2020
The ministry, citing military sources on the ground in Idlib, claimed that eight tanks, four armored combat vehicles, five howitzers and two multi-barreled rocket launchers were destroyed, and 56 Syrian troops were killed.
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) February 28, 2020
The latest escalation in Idlib occurred as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorists on Thursday launched an attack on the positions of the Syrian army, prompting a weaponized response.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, Turkish military personnel embedded with the terrorists also came under fire.
Ankara reported that its forces had lost 33 troops as a result of strikes, with 30 injured. Following the strikes, the Russian military took prompt steps to ensure a complete ceasefire on behalf of the Syrian army, and provide conditions for the safe evacuation of wounded Turkish soldiers.