Growing Military Tensions Between Turkey and Syria

5 Turkish Soldiers Killed in Syrian Government Forces Attack
Turkish Military Launches Retaliatory Strikes on 115 Targets
Syrian Government Forces Intensify Offensive on Rebel's Last Stronghold

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The possibility of an all-out war between the Syrian government forces and Turkey has increased significantly. Tensions are escalating as both sides clash in the last rebel stronghold area of Idlib, resulting in casualties.

On the 10th (local time), the Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that 5 Turkish soldiers were killed and 5 were injured due to shelling by the Syrian government forces. Earlier, on the 3rd, the Turkish military lost 8 soldiers in an attack by the Syrian government forces. In response to this recent attack, the Turkish military carried out retaliatory strikes on 115 targets belonging to the Syrian government forces, killing 101 Syrian government soldiers.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Recently, tensions have been rising as the Syrian government forces have intensified their offensive in the Idlib area.

Turkey is also responding by continuously increasing its troop presence.

Previously, Turkey, Russia, and Iran agreed on a ceasefire and established 12 observation posts to monitor the ceasefire in the Idlib area. However, amid the recent offensive by the Syrian government forces, some of the observation posts where Turkish troops are stationed have become isolated like islands within Syrian government-controlled territory.

Turkey is closely monitoring the movements of the Syrian government forces. Currently, a large number of refugees fleeing the Syrian government forces have gathered in the Idlib area. As the Syrian government forces escalate their offensive, these refugees have no choice but to seek refuge in Turkey. The international community is already expressing concerns about a humanitarian disaster due to the massive influx of refugees.

The United Nations and others are also warning that the number of refugees is changing by the hour.