Turkey continues to destroy regime targets in Syria

By Mumin Altas

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish Armed Forces continued Sunday to destroy regime targets in Syria, as part of an operation launched in the wake of deadly regime attack on Turkish troops in Idlib.

According to the new footage shared by Turkey’s National Defense Ministry, tanks, armored personnel vehicles and anti-tanks, as well as regime soldiers were neutralized in Saraqib district, a gateway to northwestern Idlib province, and some other near regions.

Idlib, near Turkey's southern border, falls within a de-escalation zone laid out in a deal between Turkey and Russia in late 2018.

The Syrian regime and its allies have consistently broken terms of the agreement, launching frequent attacks inside the territory where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.

Turkey called for an immediate halt to the attacks in Idlib and for the cease-fire to be followed, warning that if the attacks do not stop, it will take action.

At least 34 Turkish soldiers were martyred and several more injured in an airstrike by Assad regime forces in Idlib late Thursday.

Following the attack, Turkey launched Operation Spring Shield to end the regime massacres, and to prevent radicalization and migration, according to Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

* Writing by Sena Guler