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Russia's Defense Ministry has stated that yesterday's (February 27) the airstrike in Syria's Idlib that claimed the lives of 33 soldiers of Turkey was carried out by the government forces.
At the time of the attack, troops of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) were among the members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), according to the statement.
Formerly known as al-Nusra Front, the HTS group is designated as "terrorist" by both Ankara and Moscow.
The attack occurred in the town of Behun in southern Idlib and aircraft of Russia's Aerospace Forces were not used, the statement further said, according to Russia's state-run TASS agency.
CLICK - UN and US Statements on Idlib Attack
"Turkish military who were in the terrorist units' battle formations came under Syrian troops' fire near the inhabited community of Behun on February 27,
On February 27, 2020, the units of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terror group operating in the Idlib de-escalation zone made an attempt to conduct a large-scale offensive operation on the positions of Syrian government troops,
Aircraft of Russia's Aerospace Forces were not used near the inhabited community of Behun."
Behun town is approximately 33 kilometers away from the border. (Red: Syria government, Green: Armed groups and TSK presence) (Click on the map to enlarge / Map: liveuamap.com)
Russia new the exact location of the TSK troops
After learning that Turkey's troops were injured, Moscow urged the government forces to cease fire, the ministry stated.
"The Russian Centre for Syrian Reconciliation was constantly receiving updates from Turkey on the exact location of Turkish troops deployed to terrorists' combat areas.
"Despite this, when Syrian government troops responded to the attack, Turkish soldiers, who were among the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham members, came under fire in the area around the settlement of Behun.
"According to the information provided by Turkey, no units of the Turkish Army were present or could be present there.
"Upon learning that Turkish soldiers sustained injuries, Russia took the necessary steps to urge Syrian forces to cease fire. Turkish officers who were killed or injured in Idlib were later evacuated safely to their country." (AS/VK)
