33 Turkish Troops Killed in Northwest Syria, Turkey “Neutralizes“ 309 Syrian Troops in Barrage of Attacks

33 Turkish troops have been killed in northwest Syria. This was the largest death toll of Turkish troops in one incident since Turkey launched it’s Latest intervention in a Syria.

Turkey Retaliated: “Turkish forces destroyed five Syrian regime choppers, 23 tanks, 10 armored vehicles, 23 howitzers, five ammunition trucks, a SA-17, a SA-22 air defense system as well as three ammunition depots, two equipment depots, a headquarter and 309 regime troops,” NPR reported stated.

At the request of Turkey, NATO Held an emergency meeting in solidarity with Turkey. Turkey MOD claims that the troops were killed in an area where Russian-backed Syrian forces are fighting anti-regime militants. Russia denies playing a role in the strike, NPR reported.

“This attack occurred even though the locations of our troops had been coordinated with Russian officials in the field,” NPR quoted Defense Minister Hulusi Akar based on reports by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu.Agency.

NATO issued a statement:

The North Atlantic Council has just met, following a request by Turkey to hold consultations under Article 4 of NATO’s founding Washington Treaty on the situation in Syria.

Under Article 4 of the Treaty, any Ally can request consultations whenever, in the opinion of any of them, their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.

I spoke to the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu last night about the situation in Syria, and he requested these consultations.

Allies offer their deepest condolences for the death of Turkish soldiers in last night’s bombing near Idlib.

Allies condemn the continued indiscriminate air strikes by the Syrian regime and its backer Russia in Idlib province.

Today’s meeting is a sign of solidarity with Turkey.

We call on them to stop their offensive.
To respect international law.
And to back UN efforts for a peaceful solution.

This dangerous situation must be deescalated to avoid further worsening of the horrendous humanitarian situation in the region, and to allow urgent humanitarian access for those trapped in Idlib.  We urge an immediate return to the 2018 ceasefire.

Turkey is the NATO Ally most affected by the terrible conflict in Syria, which has suffered the most terrorist attacks, and which hosts millions of refugees.

NATO continues to support Turkey with a range of measures, including by augmenting its air defences, which helps Turkey against the threat of missile attacks from Syria.

I thank Turkey for briefing Allies regularly on the situation in Syria.

Allies will continue to follow developments on the South-eastern border of NATO very closely.

BBC: VIDEO:

At least 33 Turkish soldiers have died in a Syrian government attack in opposition-held north-western Syria, in a major escalation of the conflict.

Turkey, which backs the opposition, says it hit 200 government targets in response, “neutralising” 309 soldiers.

Russia, Syria’s key military ally, says Turkish troops were attacked in Idlib province by Syrian forces while operating alongside jihadist fighters.

The EU has warned the crisis could escalate further.

“There is a risk of sliding into a major open international military confrontation,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted. “It is also causing unbearable humanitarian suffering and putting civilians in danger.”