Turkey threatens to hit Syrian targets ‘anywhere’ as it masses tanks and commandos
- Turkey and Russia agreed in 2018 on de-escalation zone near border
- But a Syrian government offensive in Idlib province upsets fragile pact
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to drive Russian-backed Syrian government forces from the last rebel stronghold of Idlib, escalating his threats against Damascus after being buoyed by rare public support from the US.
Erdogan has massed tanks and commandos in Idlib after at least 14 Turks, most of them soldiers, were killed by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, and on Wednesday threatened to hit Syrian targets “anywhere” if Turkish troops are harmed again.
“We’re determined to drive away regime forces until the end of February” from the vicinity of Idlib, he said. At least three Turkish army outposts have been cut off in the area.
Assad’s attempt to crush Turkish-backed rebels and al-Qaeda militants in the final major opposition holdout after nine years of war has triggered fierce Turkish military retaliation, while testing key strategic alliances.
Turkey and Russia have so far maintained an uneasy partnership in Syria, where they back opposing sides, but disagreements over who should control Idlib have brought them to the brink of a stand-off.