At least 13 Syrian soldiers and eight Turkish soldiers were killed in an artillery battle in Idlib province on February 3.

"8 Turkish soldiers were killed when Syrian troops bombarded Idlib province. The Turkish army fired and retaliated in a few hours aimed at about 40 positions of the Syrian army and killed dozens of soldiers. ", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement on February 3.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 13 Syrian soldiers were killed in the fighting.

The Syrian army has launched a two-way offensive into the last rebel-controlled territory on January 27. The campaign aimed at rebel groups, largely backed by Ankara, was launched after a ceasefire deal announced by Russia and Turkey on January 12 was broken in just two days.

"We are determined to continue our activities in Syria to ensure the security of our country and our brothers in Idlib. Those who want to challenge Turkey with such a bad attack will understand that they commit a crime." must make a big mistake, "said President Erdogan.

Erdogan's statement was given not only to warn Syria but also to Russia, which Moscow has not yet commented on. A State Department spokesman said the parties "immediately stopped and approached humanitarian groups to support civilians in the affected area."

Idlib province is currently the only region controlled by rebel groups in Syria. Rebel groups in Eastern Ghouta who refused to surrender to the Syra government in 2017 were sent to Idlib, where there are 12 Turkish military observation posts. Syria began launching rebel operations in Idlib in December 2019, liberating 46 settlements located in an area of 320 km2 in the south and east of the province.