Fighting Escalates in Syria’s Idlib: Turkey Intervenes More Actively to Support Jihadist Militants - Loses Nine Soldiers

Over a month into the Syrian Arab Army’s offensive to reclaim Idlib province, launched in mid January in response to shelling of population centres by Al Qaeda linked militants based in the area, fighting has intensified with jihadist forces making their first major gains. While Russia has begun to intervene on the side of Syrian forces, conducting airstrikes on militant positions to supplement Syria’s own air power, militants have received massive material support from neighbouring Turkey. The presence of Turkish military personnel in Idlib, many of whom have been killed in Syrian and Russian strikes, has given Ankara pretext to itself attack Syrian positions with both air and artillery units. The Turkish military presence and Turkish armed intervention in the country remains illegal under International law, as does the support for known Al Qaeda affiliates.

Idlib remains the last major stronghold of jihadist insurgents in the Syrian conflict, and the province has remained in the hands of militants only due to the continued protection and massive supplies given by neighbouring Turkey. On February 27th the Russian Defence Ministry announced that, complementing growing logistical and training support and provision of advanced munitions, Turkey had increased fire support for jihadists on the ground. The militants would claim their first major victory since the beginning of the offensive that day, recapturing the strategically located town of Saraqeb from the Syrian Army. The town lies on the intersection of the M5 and M4 highways, which will hinder Syrian logistical efforts. With the town and other militant positions coming under heavy bombardment that day, nine Turkish soldiers were reported killed. It remains uncertain whether Syrian forces will be able to quickly recapture Saraqeb, what additional support Russia may be willing to provide, and to what extent Turkey intends to increase its military commitment to sustaining the status quo in Idlib. The province has been described in U.S. reports as the largest Al Qaeda safe haven since 2001, and hosts tens of thousands of jihadists from a wide range of countries from Africa to Malaysia and China.