Syrian Airstrike Stops Turkey's Military Convoy in İdlib

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

A 28-vehicle convoy of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has been targeted in an airstrike by the Syrian army while it was heading to the observation point in Morek town in the northwestern province of İdlib.

According to footage shared on social media, the convoy was seen in Saraqib town earlier in the day, heading to the south.

The convoy was targeted around Maarrat al-Nouman town by aircraft that belongs to the Syrian army, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR) reported. The Independent Turkish also reported that bombings were conducted by Syrian planes, citing local sources.

Airstrikes did not directly hit the convoy that was carrying ammunition and tanks but its surrounding area. One fighter from the armed groups that were escorting the convoy was reportedly killed. CNW shared a video showing the aftermath of the bombing.

Syrian Air Force airstrikes hit very close to a heavily armoured Turkish convoy in Idlib this morning, 1 NLF fighter killed#Syria #Turkey pic.twitter.com/PSRCEzgWh6

— CNW (@ConflictsW) August 19, 2019

Speaking to SANA, an official from Syria's Foreign Ministry claimed that the convoy was heading Khan Sheikhoun to help armed groups against the Syrian army.

"Syria affirms that this aggressive behavior by the Turkish regime will not in any way affect the determination of the Syrian Arab Army to continue to hunt down the remnants of terrorists in Khan Sheikhoun and other areas till liberating every inch of the Syrian territories from terrorism," the official said and added,

"The Syrian Arab Republic strongly condemns this flagrant Turkish violation and it holds the Turkish Regime fully responsible for the consequences of this stark violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic which constitutes an outrageous breach of the international law's provisions,"

The Syrian army and its allies have been continuing efforts to encircle Khan Sheikhoun town, which was attacked by chemical weapons in 2017.

Defense Ministry: We condemn this attack

The Ministry of National Defense released a statement, stating that three civilians were killed and 12 were wounded because of the airstrike conducted on 08.55 a.m. local time (05.55 GMT) during "a troops transfer to Idlib that was initiated to ensure the safety of Observation Point No. 9, to keep supply routes open and prevent civilian casualties in the region."

"We strongly condemn this attack that contradicts existing agreements, cooperation and dialogue with Russia," the ministry added.

Latest situation in Khan Sheikhoun

In an attempt to besiege the district, Syria and its allies came 400 meters closer to the borders of Khan Sheikhoun and the strikes are ongoing in the key area of Nimr, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The forces have so far captured the town of Hobait, Tal Tari and Sukeik hills, Kafr Aydun and Sabbagiyya farms, and the Fakir point -- one of the entry points to the boundaries of Khan Sheikhoun district. They are about to cut the Aleppo-Damascus M5 highway passing through the district.

The SOHR announced that 108 people were killed in yesterday's (August 18) clashes.

Syria and its allies (red) carry operations to encircle Khan Sheikhoun town. (Image: Liveuamap)

Russia's "weird" silence

Metin Gürcan, a military analyst from Turkey, commented on the incident on Twitter, saying, "Turkey's military sent a military convoy early today to open a bridge post connecting Morek post to Khan Shaykhun to prevent Morek from being besieged and to stop Assad forces' advance. Assad forces seem resilient not to let this convoy to open a post. Critical hours ahead."

Saying Russia is "weirdly" silent on the issue, Gürcan noted that the escalation might turn into an "open military clash by Turkish and Assad forces for the first time."

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson of Russia's Foreign Ministry, said on Friday (August 16) that "the approval of Damascus has to be received for all counter-terrorism activities to be undertaken in Syria," otherwise it would be a violation of sovereignty.

Turkey and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding on stabilizing the situation in Idlib de-escalation zone on September 17, 2018. Accordingly, Turkey and Russia would be guarantors for armed groups and the Syrian army respectively. 

Under the deal, opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas where they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will carry out joint patrols in the area to prevent a resumption of fighting.

Syrian army resumed attacks in the south of İdlib three weeks ago. After announcing that it will accept a ceasefire if the memorandum between Turkey and Russia is implemented, it unilaterally ended the ceasefire on August 1. (PT/VK)