ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Five Turkish soldiers have been killed in Syria’s Idlib after regime forces shelled a Turkish observation post near Taftanaz airbase, the Turkish defense ministry confirmed Monday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defense Minister Hulusi Akar met at the ruling Justice and Development Party's headquarters in Ankara, to discuss the incident, IHA reported.
Vice President Fuat Oktay said that soldiers will remain in Idlib to give a "necessary response to those flouting international law, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Turkish soldiers will "crush anyone who dares to target our flag," Oktay added.
Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shelled another Turkish observation post in the opposition held province of Idlib earlier in February, killing several Turkish soldiers and a civilian contractor.
Ankara quickly retaliated, striking Syrian Arab Army positions in the province.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned last week that Ankara will not allow Damascus to “gain ground” in the opposition held northwest Syrian province of Idlib, where Bashar al-Assad's regime is fighting hard to regain control.
US Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey will visit Turkey on Wednesday as tensions with Damascus skyrocket, according to Turkish media.
Ankara-Damascus relations have been thorny since the Syrian uprising began in 2011. Turkey quickly sided with the armed opposition, and provides logistical, political, military and financial support to dozens of Syrian opposition groups.
Turkey has twelve observation posts in Syria, four of which have been surrounded by regime forces. Two are in Idlib, one in Aleppo and another in Hama governorate.
Turkish forces are in Syria to "prevent conflicts in Idlib, ensure border security and to prevent [a] migration and humanitarian tragedy," the defense ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Updated 5:13pm
