Turkey rejects Russian explanation over Idlib attack

"I want to state that during this attack, there were no armed groups around our military units," Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in televised remarks. 

Russia's defence ministry had said that that the Turkish troops "were in the battle formations of terrorist groups" and had not communciated their presence in the area "where they should not have been".

But Akar said Thursday's strike in the northwestern province took place "despite coordination with Russian officials", adding that the bombardment continued despite "warning" of the Turkish troops' presence.

He said ambulances were also hit.

The Syrian Observatory on Human Rights, a war monitor, said on Thursday that the number of Turkish troops killed was at least 34.

Click to enlarge

The latest incident has raised further tensions between Ankara and Moscow, whose relationship has been tested  by violations of a 2018 deal to prevent a regime offensive on rebel-held Idlib.

As part of the agreement, Ankara set up 12 observation posts in the province but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces - backed by Russian air power - have pressed on with a devastating assault on Idlib.

While Damascus ally Russia accuses rebel-backer Turkey of supporting "terrorists", Ankara has repeatedly urged Moscow to stop the regime violating the ceasefire.

The Turkish military immediately retaliated against regime targets, and Akar said over 200 regime targets had come under heavy fire from armed drones and other weapons.

Akar claimed over 300 regime elements had been "neutralised" while Turkey destroyed dozens of Syrian helicopters, tanks and howitzers.

Thirty-two soldiers were also wounded in Thursday's air strike.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected