Turkish F-16 Downed Syrian Mi-17 Helicopter Over Idlib - Reports

Amid ongoing low level hostilities between the Syrian Arab Army and the Turkish armed forces, the latter which have maintained a large illegal military presence in the country’s Idlib province, a Turkish F-16 Fighting Falcon reportedly shot down a Syria Mi-17 helicopter operating in the area on February 11th. The aircraft was reportedly downed by an AIM-120 AMRAAM air to air missile from a distance of around 60km. Turkey has supported a number of radical jihadist militias based in Idlib, which remains the last major stronghold of the Islamist insurgency in Syria. Turkish protection for a number of Al Qaeda affiliated groups there has effectively prevented their routing by Syrian forces, and prolonged the country’s ongoing war.

Footage of the falling Mi-17 was captured by militants on the ground, but the moment the helicopter was struck was not captured leaving the nature of the attack somewhat ambiguous. A number of reports from Russian sources have indicated that the helicopter was thought to have been attacked by a Turkish fighter which took off from Incirlik Airbase - where F-16s which shot down a Russian strike fighter in 2015 were also based. The Mi-17 was operating deep in Syrian territory, meaning if it was a Turkish strike it would constitute another illegal act of aggression on Ankara’s part. Syrian forces for their part have not carried out any strikes on Turkish territory, and have yet to respond to ongoing Turkish operations on their territory. Russia has sought to mediate the conflict between the two parties, but has on occasion deployed its elite Su-35 heavyweight fighters based in Syria to intercept Turkish incursions into Syrian airspace and attacks on Syrian personnel.